Strengthen warnings for downstream residents when operating flood discharge at Ban Ve Hydropower Plant

Attending the conference were representatives of leaders, departments and branches of Tuong Duong, Ky Son, Con Cuong districts, and local authorities of downstream communes in Tuong Duong district. Photo: D.C.

At the conference, Ban Ve Hydropower Company clearly stated the technical parameters of the project; plans to ensure the safety of the project and Ban Ve Hydropower reservoir; prohibited acts in the following areas: the dam protection vicinity; in the reservoir bed and reservoir protection corridor and within the flood protection corridor.

Regarding the flood discharge work of Ban Ve Hydropower Plant, along with the forecast of situations and solutions, the Company has analyzed and clarified the flood discharge announcement command at the spillway; locations of the loudspeaker warning station system; basic situations and solutions to prevent and avoid floods; introduced the locations for evacuating people and property when flooding occurs, and the areas affected when the project discharges floodwaters with large flow.

Ban Ve Hydropower Plant releases floodwaters. Photo: Archive

At the conference, local authorities, levels and sectors also proposed many opinions requiring investors to strictly implement the reservoir operation process, the inter-reservoir operation process approved by competent authorities, and the signed coordination regulations and rules. At the same time, inspect and evaluate the status of dams, equipment and flood discharge works to ensure timely overcoming of existing problems before the 2019 rainy and flood season.

Representative of the Propaganda Department of Tuong Duong District Party Committee speaking at the conference. Photo: D.C.

In particular, it is necessary to strengthen warning work for people in downstream areas when operating flood discharge by many forms, including through Facebook; install additional warning forms suitable for the downstream characteristics of hydropower projects (signs, sirens, etc.), especially in densely populated areas, production areas, downstream areas with people passing by, etc. Along with that, it is necessary to establish a flood map of downstream areas so that functional forces and people have proactive plans to deal with situations.

Many opinions also pointed out that when releasing floodwaters, the factory needs to pay attention and coordinate with local authorities to send staff to inspect the landslide situation in downstream areas and rescue victims, as well as promptly handle traffic incidents on both roads and waterways, coordinate with localities to organize damage investigation and remedy consequences according to regulations...

Receiving the above comments, the Company representative committed to remedy and overcome the remaining limitations to ensure the harmony of the factory's goals, issues related to ensuring construction safety, natural disaster prevention and control, social security issues, especially in the downstream areas directly affected.