Nghe An needs to strengthen solutions to direct flood discharge of Ban Ve Hydropower Plant.

The meeting took place this morning, August 31. Also attending were relevant departments and branches. Photo: Thu Huyen

Nghe An is the province with the largest area in the country, diverse terrain, harsh climate, high density of rivers and streams. Every year there are many storms and tropical depressions, tornadoes, hail; Average rainfall is from 1,800 - 2,000mm, causing flooding in many localities.

In addition, coastal areas are always subject to high tides, while mountainous areas are affected by flash floods and landslides.

In the first 8 months of 2018 alone, the area had 5 cold spells, 4 hot spells and 11 tornadoes and thunderstorms. In particular, the direct impact of storms No. 3 and No. 4 killed 9 people, 1 person went missing, 68 houses collapsed and washed away, over 1,000 houses had their roofs blown off; nearly 29,000 hectares of rice were flooded, nearly 12,000 hectares of crops were damaged; over 44,000 livestock and poultry died; many traffic routes were severely damaged; Total estimated damage was over 1,600 billion VND.

Officers and soldiers of Muong Tip Border Guard Station help households clean up after the flood. Photo: Hai Thuong

Alarmingly, the water level in the rivers continues to rise due to floods from upstream; at the province's largest hydroelectric plant, at 8:00 a.m. this morning, August 31, the water level of Ban Ve Hydroelectric Reservoir was 200m, the flow to the lake was 3,844m³/s, the discharge flow through the project is equal to the amount of water returning to the lake, which is 3,844m³/s, the highest in history ever.

Previously, on August 18, the Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control and Search and Rescue of Nghe An province issued an order to operate the Ban Ve Hydropower Reservoir to reduce flooding downstream and ensure safety for the project.

Deputy Minister of Transport Le Dinh Tho spoke, requesting Nghe An province to continue to strengthen disaster response, flood discharge, and plans for the assignment of forces and vehicles. Photo: Thu Huyen

At the meeting, Mr. Dinh Viet Hong - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Deputy Standing Committee of the Provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue also proposed that the Government invest funds to implement the urgent project to prevent riverbank and coastal landslides; implement the project to upgrade sea dykes to ensure protection against level 12 storms with a 5% frequency. Support the province in developing a flood management plan, synthesizing the Ca River basin and investing in increasing the density of hydrological and meteorological stations for early warning; develop a flood map for the downstream area of ​​the Ca River associated with hydropower plant flood discharge.

In the immediate future, the Central Government is requested to support 630 billion VND for the province to overcome the consequences of storms No. 3 and 4 and floods in July and August. Allocate sufficient capital for basic construction projects related to ensuring traffic in the province to serve traffic diversion when floods occur.

Comrade Dinh Viet Hong said that the damage caused by storms in Nghe An was very large, and requested the Central Government to pay attention and support to help the province overcome the situation. Photo: Thu Huyen

After listening to the province's report, Deputy Minister Le Dinh Tho - member of the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control and Search and Rescue highly appreciated the province's proactiveness in natural disaster prevention and control in recent times. In the face of extreme weather and natural disasters, he suggested that the province pay special attention to propaganda work, raising public awareness of natural disaster prevention and control; increase the time of broadcasting warning bulletins, forecasts and directives from authorities at all levels to each village and people.

Nghe An needs to strengthen the management of vessels, especially when there are storms, tropical depressions and dangerous weather at sea. Check and review the safety of reservoirs, dykes, hydroelectric plants and other disaster prevention works. Review and evaluate residential areas along rivers and streams; identify areas at risk of flash floods and landslides to plan infrastructure construction and relocate residents out of dangerous areas. In particular, the province needs to strengthen solutions to direct flood discharge according to procedures, ensuring safety for the downstream area of ​​Ban Ve Hydropower Plant.