Nghe An: A series of main drainage culverts discharge water at full capacity to drain floods.

Nghi Quang sewage system has opened 13 discharge gates at full capacity. Photo: Van Truong

At Nghi Quang sluice gate (Nghi Loc) on the morning of September 29, workers were operating in the rain. Mr. Hoang Van Huong - Station Chief said: Nghi Quang sluice gate is the largest flood drainage gate of the Southern irrigation system, directly draining floods for Nghi Loc district, Hung Nguyen, Vinh city and part of Nam Dan district.

The sluice has 13 gates, electrically operated. All are fully raised with a discharge capacity of 400 m³/s. The discharge process depends on the water level. If the tide level is higher than the water level in the field, the sluice gate must be closed to prevent salt water from overflowing into the field.

Workers operating the Nghi Quang sluice gate. Photo: Van Truong

Notably,Nghi Quang sewerCurrently, many items are degraded, such as the flat valve door system and the automatic door system above the door lock are both broken, causing operational limitations.

According to the report of Nam Irrigation Company, from September 28, all drainage systems in the area have been operating at full capacity, such as the Ben Thuy drainage system with 10 gates open, Hoa Thai sluice and spillway, Nghi Thai commune, Nghi Loc with 100% of sluice gates open, Thuong Xa sluice, Nghi Xa with 5 gates open. Hung Chau and Hung Dao drainage pumping stations have been prepared when necessary.

Dien Thanh drainage culvert (Dien Chau) reaches discharge level of 450 m3/s. Photo: Van Truong.

InDien Thanh drainage system(Dien Chau), at this time, workers are both operating and directly removing water hyacinth at the sluice gate to clear the flow. Mr. Vo Van Thang - Head of Dien Thanh Drainage Station said: This drainage sluice is currently the largest in the Northern irrigation system, draining floods for Dien Chau and Yen Thanh districts. Previously, this drainage sluice was degraded, often not draining floods in time for the above areas. However, since 2019, with the support of the JICA project (Japan), the new construction, all operations are controlled by on-site electricity, very convenient.

Operated by the electrical system at Dien Thanh drainage system. Photo: Van Truong

Currently, the tide is low, all three large sluice gates are raised, the discharge level is 450 m.³/s. At Dien Thuy sluice, Dien Ngoc commune is currently discharging 100 m³/s, workers are actively salvaging water hyacinth right at the sluice gate.

Dien Thanh drainage system blocked by water hyacinth. Photo: Van Truong

A representative of Nghe An Irrigation Department said: The major drainage systems are mainly concentrated in the Northern and Southern irrigation systems. The Irrigation Department directs irrigation units and workers to stay close to the area, on duty 24/7, and discharge water according to the motto "draining the tide, draining the flood". Continue to monitor when the tide rises, the drainage sluices will have to be closed to prevent saltwater intrusion.