Many reservoirs in Nghe An province have low flood safety levels.

(Baonghean.vn) - According to a report from Nghe An province on the status of flood control works this year, many reservoirs in Nghe An have low flood safety levels.

The province currently has 625 reservoirs of all types, including 13 reservoirs with a capacity of over 5-75 million m3, 612 reservoirs with a capacity of less than 5 million m3, and 112 reservoirs with dam heights exceeding 10 m. Currently, 75 reservoirs are managed by state-owned enterprises, while the rest are managed and operated by local authorities.

Inspecting the recently upgraded Dong Dang reservoir in Nghia Hanh commune (Tan Ky district). (Photo: Archival image)

Large reservoirs built with state investment have undergone safety design and calculation surveys according to prescribed standards and have been constructed according to proper procedures. Eighty-five reservoirs have been upgraded to ensure flood safety, while many others are awaiting upgrades. Many of these reservoirs, built in the 1970s and 1980s, have low flood safety levels, posing a risk of dam failure when floods exceed the design frequency.

The report from the Provincial People's Committee also emphasized: Weather patterns are becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable, therefore they cannot be taken lightly, especially for reservoirs with many smaller reservoirs in the catchment area. When these smaller reservoirs break, it will cause a sudden increase in water levels, threatening the safety of the downstream dams.

Some reservoirs, built jointly by the state and the people, with capacities ranging from 0.5 to 1 million m3, are mainly managed by local authorities. However, the quality of documentation is often inaccurate, and monitoring of construction, operation, and management are not well-executed. Therefore, during major floods similar to the 1978 level, there is still a risk of dam failure, such as at Khe Go, Khe Lang, Khe Thi reservoirs (Nghi Loc), Don Hung (Yen Thanh), Nghia Hoan dam, and Khe Than dam (Tan Ky)... Thus, flood control plans for these reservoirs and dams must not be neglected.

Pearl