Nghe An has 225 reservoirs full of water.

Sao River Reservoir in Nghia Dan District has proactively lowered the water level. Photo: Van Truong

Information from the Irrigation Department said that Nghe An province currently has 1,061 large and small reservoirs, of which 225 were flooded during the recent rains.reservoir full of water,(including 57 reservoirs managed by enterprises, 168 reservoirs managed by localities).

There are 824 large and small reservoirs with water levels reaching 50-70%, mainly located in Yen Thanh, Nghia Dan, Do Luong, Dien Chau districts... Of which, there are 2 large reservoirs reaching full water levels: Song Sao reservoir (Nghia Dan) reaching elevation of 74.28/75.7m, Vuc Mau reservoir (Hoang Mai town) reaching elevation of 20.2/21m.

Mr. Hoang Tran Lam - Chairman of the Board of Directors of Phu Quy Irrigation Company Limited said: Due to the continuous heavy rains in recent days, the water level of Sao River reservoir has increased. To ensure the regulation of water in the reservoir during the rainy season, from September 16 to September 20, the unit proactively lowered the water level and released 65 m³/S.

The unit continues to monitor for reasonable and systematic regulation.Sao River LakeThere is always a force on duty to monitor the lake water level and incoming water level. The unit has a backup generator in case of power outage, ready to operate the spillway.

The representative of the Bac Irrigation One Member Co., Ltd. added: The area managed by the unit currently has 19/23 reservoirs full of water, mainly concentrated in Yen Thanh, Quynh Luu, Dien Chau districts, Hoang Mai town, Do Luong. Among them, there are many large lakes that are full of water such as Ve Vung lake in Dong Thanh commune (Yen Thanh), Xuan Duong lake (Dien Chau)...

In particular, Vuc Mau reservoir (Hoang Mai town) is being allowed to overflow according to the process from September 8th until now due to high water level, with a discharge capacity of 100m³/s, (discharge reaches the safe water line to 19.8m).

One of the degraded reservoirs in Nghia Dan district. Photo: Van Truong

At this time, for reservoirs in the Northern irrigation area, workers are always on duty 24/7, checking the current status of the works. For large reservoirs, they regularly monitor water levels, check rain gauge systems, automatic spillway opening systems...

Currently, the unit has 3 reservoirs that have not been upgraded, the dam body is made of earth so there is a risk of unsafety, including Khe Than reservoir in Quynh Tam commune, Quynh Luu district, Doi Tuong reservoir in Quynh Vinh commune, Hoang Mai town, Ba Hao reservoir in Quynh Loc commune, Quynh Luu district.

Mr. Nguyen Kim Thuy - Head of the Department of Management of Irrigation Works and Rural Clean Water (Nghe An Irrigation Sub-Department) said: The weather is complicated and unpredictable, the Irrigation Sub-Department requires the units managing and operating reservoirs to regularly update forecast information to include in response plans appropriate to reality.

Quang Thanh commune reservoir, Yen Thanh is full of water. Photo: Van Truong

Coordinate with localities to prepare on-site plans 4, manage and operate reservoirs according to safe reservoir and dam operating procedures, proactively develop plans to evacuate people and property to limit damage. Ensure water regulation, water retention to serve agricultural production and daily life, and reduce flooding downstream during the rainy and flood season.

Currently, in Nghe An there are 688degraded reservoirSevere damage, including 70 reservoirs at risk of being unsafe during the flood season./.

Van Truong