Nghe An issues urgent dispatch to respond to flooding caused by hydroelectric dam discharge

Nghe An's largest hydropower plant increases flood discharge, warns of downstream flooding

(Baonghean.vn) - On the morning of August 30, the Flood and Storm Prevention and Search and Rescue Command of Nghe An province announced that it had issued a notice to agencies and units to develop a plan to ensure safety downstream when Ban Ve Hydropower Plant operates to discharge floodwaters.

Many residential areas in Tuong Duong district were flooded and isolated after Ban Ve hydropower plant increased flood discharge. Photo: Minh Khue

The content of the telegram stated: To proactively respond and minimize damage to the downstream of hydropower plants, the Chairman of the People's Committee - Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue requests the Chairman of the People's Committee - Head of the Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue to:rescue the districts: Tuong Duong, Con Cuong, Anh Son, Do Luong, Thanh Chuong, Nam Dan, Hung Nguyen and Vinh City; Provincial Military Command; Provincial Border Guard Command; Heads of provincial Departments, Boards, and Branches; Directors of Irrigation LLCs; Directors of Ban Ve, Khe Bo, Chi Khe Hydropower Companies; North Central Region Hydrometeorological Station; Provincial Radio and Television Station; Nghe An Newspaper strictly implement the following contents:

1. People's Committees of districts: Tuong Duong, Con Cuong, Anh Son, Do Luong, Thanh Chuong, Nam Dan, Hung Nguyen and Vinh City; Heads of provincial Departments, Boards, Branches, Directors of Irrigation LLCs and related units:

- Notify authorities at all levels, people, organizations operating on rivers and riverbanks; Aquaculture facilities on rivers, water transport vehicles; Ferry terminals; Production and business activities, sand and gravel exploitation activities to know information about flood discharge from hydroelectric reservoirs to proactively take preventive measures to ensure safety of people and property.

- Review flood prevention plans to ensure safety for downstream areas, especially the dyke system and residential areas on riverbanks to be ready to respond. Check for flooding and landslides, be ready to evacuate people; Warn, guard, divert traffic, ensure traffic safety, especially at spillways, areas frequently flooded, landslides, and traffic jams.

- Direct information and communication agencies to increase the time and frequency of reporting on the media, especially the radio system in wards and communes about the flood discharge from reservoirs; at the same time, coordinate with specialized agencies to guide flood prevention skills for people and related agencies and units to deploy response and minimize damage caused by reservoir discharge. Note areas that are likely to be flooded such as: Tuong Duong district (Communes: Luong Minh, Xa Luong, Town, Thach Giam, Tam Thai, Tam Quang); Con Cuong district: (Communes: Lang Khe, Chau Khe, Chi Khe, Bong Khe, Yen Khe, Cam Lam and Town); Anh Son district (Communes: Binh Son, Thanh Son, Tam Son, Cam Son, Town, Hoi Son, Hoa Son, Long Son, Cao Son).

2. The North Central Region Hydrometeorological Station Closely monitor weather and flood developments; increase warning and forecasting time for floods, especially flood warnings in the downstream areas of the Ca River basin; promptly advise the Provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control to decide on operating hydropower plants in accordance with prescribed procedures.

3. Provincial Departments, Boards and Branches, according to their assigned functions and tasks, inspect and supervise the implementation of flood discharge operations of Ban Ve, Khe Bo and Chi Khe hydropower plants in accordance with regulations and direct local units to deploy flood prevention plans to minimize damage to downstream areas.

4. Khe Bo and Chi Khe hydropower plants proactively discharged water in advance to catch floods, minimize flooding and properly implement the inter-reservoir operation process approved by the Prime Minister.

5. Provincial Radio and Television Station, Nghe An Newspaper and other news agencies and newspapers increase broadcasting time to report on reservoir flood discharge, the management work of the Provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control, provincial Departments, Boards and Branches so that local authorities and people can proactively prevent.

6. The Provincial Military Command and the Provincial Border Guard Command continue to maintain forces ready for rescue when requested.

7. Organize a 24/7 on-duty team from the province to the grassroots level as prescribed to proactively handle possible situations and promptly report to the Standing Office of the Provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control.

Due to the large flood water from upstream, Ban Ve Hydropower Reservoir is discharging through the generator and overflowing with a flow rate of 2,104 m3/s. It is forecasted that in the next 24-48 hours, the maximum average flow rate to the reservoir is likely to be: 2,000 to 2,300 m3/s. To ensure the safety of the project, Ban Ve Hydropower Reservoir will increase the discharge rate from 2,000 to 2,500 m3/s.

The flood discharge of Ban Ve hydroelectric reservoir has been causing flooding in the downstream area.