Quynh Luu: Continue to reinforce and be ready to respond to the risk of Hoc Coi dam breaking

Last night (September 28), due to the circulation of storm No. 4 causing heavy rain over a large area, the water level in ponds, lakes, and dams in the area increased.Quynh Luurising very quickly. At Hoc Coi dam in Quynh Tam commune, a collapse appeared right at the dam body, forcing the local government to mobilize people and forces to reinforce it that night.

Representatives of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and leaders of Quynh Luu district inspected the leak at Hoc Coi dam. Photo: Tien Dong

According to Mr. Nguyen Xuan Quang - Chairman of Quynh Tam Commune People's Committee, Hoc Coi dam has a water capacity of nearly 1 million cubic meters, providing irrigation water for more than 30 hectares of agricultural land in Quynh Tam commune. In 2020, this dam was upgraded, however, recently, there has been heavy rain in the area causing the water in the dam to be full.

The water leakage point at the Hoc Coi dam body has now been reinforced, but this is only a temporary solution. Photo: Tien Dong

At around 8pm last night (September 28), a water leak occurred at the dam body on the positive slope. Faced with this situation, the People's Committee of Quynh Tam commune had to mobilize local forces to respond promptly. At the same time, more than 100 officers and soldiers of Brigade 215 stationed in the area were mobilized to reinforce the dam body. After more than 5 hours of urgent response, at around 1am on September 29, the water leak at Hoc Coi dam was basically controlled.

The damaged section of the Hoc Coi dam is about 10m long and is currently being temporarily reinforced with tarpaulins and sandbags. Photo: Tien Dong

However, according to Mr. Quang, the dam's water discharge gate is currently open at full capacity. However, if it continues to rain, the commune has considered digging another opening to lower the water level, so as not to put too much pressure on the old leak in the dam body.

Below the incident point, there is a pond that was formed before the dam body was built. This is considered the cause of the dam leaking water. Photo: Tien Dong

Mr. Hoang Danh Lai - Secretary of Quynh Luu District Party Committee said: After surveying the actual situation at Hoc Coi dam, the district is currently assigning the commune to continue monitoring the situation of the leak point. Arrange permanent forces on site to promptly respond if there is a continued leak. The district and commune have even considered the option of opening more sluice gates on the dam body to drain water if it continues to rain heavily. In the long term, it will have to be upgraded and handled soon to avoid similar incidents./.