Many shortcomings in flood forecasting process in Nghe An

Flood discharge at Ban Ve hydroelectric reservoir. Photo: Phu Huong

The prolonged flood in August 2018 caused severe damage to the western region of Nghe An, estimated at over 1,000 billion VND. The consequence was the loss of a large area of ​​agricultural land, making people in the Ca River basin anxious.

According to the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and Search and Rescue, about 30% of the Ca River basin is located in Laos, but climate and weather monitoring on the neighboring country has not been fully grasped. This is a shortcoming that makes flood monitoring in Laos upstream of the Ca River not proactive. When the flood reaches Vietnam, it is too late.

Muong Xen town (Ky Son district) submerged in August flood. Photo: Duy Khanh

This explains why Ky Son district always has to run after the floods and the floods are so sudden that it is impossible to "react" in time. The flood discharge of hydroelectric plants in Tuong Duong and Con Cuong also depends on weather forecasts and water levels, but because it is not possible to accurately monitor the amount of flood water coming from Laos, it is quite passive even though there is a process.

In recent years, natural disasters have occurred in a complex and unpredictable manner, not following the usual rules. In 2018 alone, Nghe An experienced 5 cold spells, 4 heat waves and 11 tornadoes, mainly concentrated in April and May. Especially directly affected by storms No. 3 and No. 4 and heavy rains and floods in July and August..

While there is no good flood forecast in the West, the flood escape corridor is not yet safe. The flooded area of ​​Ban Ve and Khe Bo Hydropower Plants has recently exceeded the areas compensated by this unit, leaving people, especially in Tuong Duong, unable to react in time.

Implementing the direction of the Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Dac Vinh, the Provincial People's Committee established an inspection team to work with the People's Committees of Tuong Duong and Con Cuong districts and the Ban Ve, Khe Bo and Chi Khe hydropower plants. The team was led by Mr. Dinh Viet Hong, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Mr. Hoang Nghia Hieu, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, as Deputy Head of the team; and the Standing Committee of the Provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control, the Department of Industry and Trade, the North Central Region Television Meteorological Station, etc.

The inspection results show that: The monitoring, forecasting and provision of information and data by the Khe Bo reservoir management and operation unit is still lacking; The company has installed a camera system to monitor upstream and downstream water levels and spillways according to the regulations of the process, but it often malfunctions and cannot be monitored.

Another problem that has been mentioned for a long time is that Nghe An does not have a flood map of the downstream areas of hydroelectric plants according to regulations.

Con Cuong mountainous district was submerged in ice during the flood in late August. Photo: Lam Tung.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hai - Chairman of Tuong Duong District People's Committee said: It is necessary to survey and re-establish flood markers downstream, and have a plan to compensate and clear the land for households affected after the recent flood discharge. Clearly define the responsibilities of relevant parties to carry out compensation for households flooded above the prescribed water level.

To avoid flooding, the Provincial People's Committee is directing the Provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control and provincial departments to lower the normal water level of Khe Bo Hydropower Plant below 65m; for Ban Ve Hydropower Plant, it is proposed to adjust the regulation not to maintain the normal water level (200m) at September 1 every year, because in Nghe An, September is the key month for floods.

Comrade Dinh Viet Hong, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, said: It is necessary to strengthen propaganda and warning work for people downstream during the operation of flood discharge from hydroelectric reservoirs so that authorities at all levels and people know to proactively respond.

Relevant departments, branches, sectors and localities shall direct the operation and closely monitor the discharge of floodwaters from hydroelectric reservoirs to ensure the benefits of power generation, dam safety, and the lives, property and infrastructure of the people and the state. The province will review and assess flooded residential areas downstream of Ban Ve hydroelectric reservoir to plan infrastructure construction and relocate residents out of dangerous areas.

The provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control said it has asked the Government to support the construction of a weather radar in the border district of Ky Son to monitor floods on the Ca River.

Pearl