Experts and managers propose a plan to install a life-saving system along the Dao River in Nghe An.

After more than 80 years of operation, the systemNorth Nghe An irrigationhas brought about enormous efficiency, providing water and irrigation for a large plain of Nghe An. However, there have also been many accidents, each of which is a heartbreaking story.

Currently, the Vietnamese standard system on hydraulic works has almost no regulations toensure safetyfor those who unfortunately fall into the canal. Therefore, the designer cannot be blamed in these cases, they have acted in accordance with the law. However, in my opinion, with a large canal like the Dao River, which is both the main irrigation system of the Northern Nghe An region, and also carries the additional function of transportation, and passes through many densely populated areas, while giving high priority to the main goal, we must also recognize the fact that this canal has been and is threatening the safety of people on both banks, especially the elderly and children.

We must do what to achieve the main goal of irrigation and transportation functions while still ensuring safety for the people. Currently, Vietnamese standards on dyke protection and corridor protection are available, but there are almost no standards on ensuring safety for people when canals pass through, this is really a matter of great concern.

While the canal roof is being repaired, additional life-saving equipment and protective railings need to be installed to prevent tragic incidents from occurring. Photo: Tien Dong

It is thought that lawmakers and standard researchers should add safety standards, including taking into account the safety of those working on the canal, or those who accidentally fall into the canal. In fact, the installation of protective equipment,life saving equipmentwill not cost much and also will not obstruct the flow much. For example, I see that concrete slabs paving the canal often have iron hooks for lifting and installing during construction. It is necessary to calculate to leave these iron hooks, with certain distances. This will not increase the cost, and is also a rescue solution when necessary. In the sections of the canal that pass through residential areas, there should be protective railings.

On the other hand, it is also necessary to increase propaganda to warn people, especially the elderly, children, and those who cannot swim, about the risks of unsafety when traveling along the canal.

The irrigation canal from Bara Do Luong flowing down to Yen Thanh, Dien Chau and Quynh Luu districts is an open, trapezoidal canal. This is the most advantageous type of canal in terms of hydraulics, but the disadvantage is that large canals cannot be covered, so warning measures are required.protect.

In addition to serving irrigation purposes, when designing and constructing a canal, it is necessary to pay attention to the people's livelihood. Especially for main canals that pass through residential areas with roads on both sides of the canal, safety issues must be taken into account and protective equipment must be provided.

In particular, if you accidentally fall into the canal, there must be places to hold on to. Otherwise, every time an accident occurs, the water must be closed, which will affect crop production and cause costs. Because the main canal has a flow rate of 30-40m3/s, a large canal cross-section, and high water depth, installing U-hooks or iron chains is not much expensive compared to the total construction cost and does not affect the flow rate.

Faced with this situation, I think local authorities need to have opinions on adding safety equipment and steps where the canal passes through residential areas so that the project can be promptly implemented during construction.

It is really heartbreaking to hear every year that people drown on this canal, most of them children and students. I think that if it is due to objective reasons, it is unavoidable, but if it is due to subjective reasons, we can overcome it, then we need to do it soon. We need to quickly recognize the shortcomings caused by this canal.

The authorities need to listen to the opinions of experts and people on both sides of the canal to make adjustments. There is no reason when we know in advance the tragic consequences that may arise but do not take measures to handle them.

If we are concerned about funding, we can do it step by step, in high-risk sections with high population density, and can even mobilize social resources to do it.

Haunted by tragic deaths on the Dao River in Nghe An

(Baonghean.vn) - It was not until Nguyen Ba Quang Huy (Chua Thang hamlet, Lien Thanh commune, Yen Thanh) tragically drowned on January 17, 2021 that public opinion was startled by the danger along the Dao River.

In order to prevent drowning on the Dao River, the local government has also directed organizations such as the Youth Union to install warning signs. However, at places with high traffic density and boarding and alighting stations, it is recommended that the management unit install additional railings and life-saving equipment so that if someone accidentally drowns, they will be rescued promptly.

In places with high traffic density, additional protective measures must be taken to avoid unfortunate incidents. Photo: Tien Dong

Before constructing the canal project, the localities through which this canal passes surveyed and submitted to the superiors the number of washing stations. When passing through Yen Thanh district, with a length of about 30 km, 43 washing stations were built on both sides of the canal. To ensure safety, we are also continuing to have the communes review and propose that if more washing stations need to be built, Yen Thanh district will submit to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for consideration.