Nghe An province operates the Ban Ve hydroelectric reservoir to cut and reduce flooding downstream.
On the morning of August 27th, the Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue, and Civil Defense of Nghe An province issued two urgent documents regarding the operation of the Ban Ve hydroelectric reservoir to reduce flooding and ensure safety in the downstream area.
Urgent document No. 165, the Order to operate the Ban Ve hydroelectric reservoir to cut and reduce flooding for downstream areas, clearly states:
According to the report from Ban Ve Hydropower Company in Official Letter No. 203 dated August 27th, regarding the operation of the Ban Ve hydropower reservoir to reduce flooding downstream: The water inflow into the Ban Ve reservoir at 7:00 AM on August 27th was 1,824 m³.3/s; The water level of Ban Ve Lake at 7:00 AM on August 27th was 192.92m; at 7:00 AM on August 27th, water was being discharged through the turbines and spillway at a flow rate of 970 m³.3/S.
The Head of the Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue, and Civil Defense of Nghe An Province orders:
The Director of Ban Ve Hydropower Company continues to operate the Ban Ve hydropower reservoir, releasing water downstream at a flow rate not exceeding the inflow of floodwaters into the reservoir to mitigate and reduce flooding downstream (according to Point c, Clause 1, Article 8, Decision No. 1605 dated November 13, 2019 of the Prime Minister).
During flood control operations for downstream areas, if the reservoir water level is likely to reach 200 m, the Director of Ban Ve Hydropower Company will gradually adjust the discharge flow through the structure so that when the reservoir water level reaches 200 m, the discharge flow through the structure equals the inflow of floodwater into the reservoir, and the system switches to a mode that ensures the safety of the structure.
During flood control operations for downstream areas, if the flood inflow into the reservoir is at a level of 1,000 m³ or higher.3/s up to 1,200 m3/s, Director of Ban Ve Hydropower Company proactively operated to maintain the reservoir water level at that time.
When the inflow into the reservoir gradually decreases to below 1,000 m3With no possibility of rising again, the Director of Ban Ve Hydropower Company gradually lowered the reservoir water level to the highest level before the flood.
At the same time, in order to proactively respond and minimize damage during flood relief operations for downstream areas, in urgent document No. 166, the Standing Office of the Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue and Civil Defense of Nghe An province requested:
People's Committees of the districts of Tuong Duong, Con Cuong, Anh Son, Do Luong, Thanh Chuong, Nam Dan, Hung Nguyen, Nghi Loc and Vinh City; Heads of provincial departments, boards and agencies, directors of irrigation limited liability companies and related units:
This notice is to inform all levels of government, the public, organizations operating on or along the river; aquaculture facilities on the river, water transport vehicles; ferry terminals; and businesses involved in the production, trading, and exploitation of sand and gravel about the release of water from the hydroelectric reservoir so that they can proactively take preventive measures to ensure the safety of people and property.
Review flood prevention plans to ensure safety for downstream areas, especially the dike system and densely populated areas along the riverbanks, in order to be ready to respond.
Directing information and communication agencies to increase the duration and frequency of news coverage on various media, especially the radio systems in wards and communes, regarding the release of water from reservoirs; and coordinating with specialized agencies to guide people and relevant agencies and units on flood prevention skills to implement response measures and minimize damage caused by reservoir water releases.
The provincial Radio and Television Station, Nghe An Newspaper, and other news agencies and media outlets should increase broadcast time to report on the operation of the Ban Ve hydropower reservoir to mitigate flooding downstream, the management work of the Provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue and Civil Defense, and provincial departments and agencies, so that local authorities and people can proactively take preventive measures.
