Downstream areas urgently respond to information about Ban Ve Hydropower Plant releasing floodwaters

The leader of the People's Committee of Tuong Duong district said that on the night of July 28, after receiving the dispatch from the Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control of Nghe An province regarding the flood discharge of Ban Ve hydropower plant, Chairman of the People's Committee of Tuong Duong district Nguyen Van Hai sent an urgent dispatch to the leaders of Yen Na, Luong Minh, Xa Luong, Thach Giam, Tam Thai, Tam Dinh, Tam Quang, Yen Thang communes and Hoa Binh town. These are localities located right downstream of Ban Ve hydropower plant.

This telegram was also sent to the Military Command, Police, and the District's Disaster Prevention and Control and Search and Rescue Command to proactively respond and limit damage during flood reduction operations downstream.

Ban Ve Hydropower Plant will release floodwaters at 9am on July 30. Photo: Contributor

In the urgent telegram, Mr. Nguyen Van Hai requested the People's Committee Chairmen of communes and towns to notify all villages, hamlets, and all people and organizations operating on the river and along the river; households raising fish in cages, ferry piers; and businesses and sand and gravel exploitation activities to know information about flood discharge from hydroelectric reservoirs so that they can proactively take preventive measures to ensure safety of people and property.

“Review key points at risk of landslides and flooding, especially households along Nam Non hydroelectric reservoir in Luong Minh commune to have timely evacuation plans…” - the urgent dispatch of Tuong Duong district stated.

Ban Ve Hydroelectric Reservoir. Photo: Tien Hung

Not only Tuong Duong, leaders of districts downstream of Lam River are also urgently responding to floods. "That night, I directly called and texted leaders of communes to proactively prevent" - Mr. Vi Van Son - Chairman of Con Cuong District People's Committee said.

These districts have directed departments and branches to strengthen propaganda work, mobilizing people to regularly monitor developments to proactively respond; urging the management boards of villages and blocks to regularly and continuously announce on the loudspeaker system so that people can raise their vigilance and proactively respond.

In addition, arrange forces to control, support, and guide traffic in areas with landslides, underground tunnels, overflows, and deep flooded areas... to ensure safety; do not let people collect firewood or fish on the river during floods, as this can lead to unfortunate accidents.

Members of the District Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control, according to assigned tasks, continue to go to key areas to urge communes and towns to promptly respond.

Ban Ve is the largest hydroelectric plant in Nghe An province as well as the North Central region: Documentary photo

The District Military Command and District Police continue to maintain forces ready for rescue, search and rescue, and organize relief when requested. Urge the Commune Police and Military to prepare forces to deploy response measures; ensure security and order in the area.

Departments such as Agriculture; Economy - Infrastructure; Health and related departments and branches at district level, according to their functions and tasks, focus on directing the assurance of traffic, power lines, restoring agricultural production; preventing epidemics for damaged areas. Organize serious 24/24 duty, prepare forces and means to respond when situations arise....

Previously, on the evening of July 28, the Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control of Nghe An province sent a dispatch to localities downstream of Lam River including Tuong Duong, Con Cuong, Anh Son, Do Luong, Thanh Chuong, Nam Dan, Hung Nguyen, Vinh City, Nghi Loc regarding ensuring downstream safety when operating Ban Ve Hydropower Reservoir.

Nghe An Province's Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control said that after receiving a request from Ban Ve Hydropower Company, the unit issued an order to operate this hydropower reservoir to reduce flooding downstream.

According to the operating order, starting from 9:00 a.m. on July 30, Ban Ve Hydropower Plant will discharge with a flow rate of 340 m³/s to 1,000 m³/s. Includes flow through spillway and flow through 2 generators.

Ban Ve Hydropower Plant's discharge will put some downstream areas at risk of flooding. Photo: Tien Hung

In the operation order, the Head of the Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control of Nghe An province ordered this hydropower plant to discharge water at a flow rate no greater than the flow rate to the lake, to reduce flooding downstream from when the lake water level reaches 192.5 meters...

This move was made in the context that the meteorological agency predicted widespread heavy rain in the North and North Central regions and warned of major floods on rivers in the region in the coming days. As of 10:00 a.m. on July 28, the water level at Nam Dan Hydrological Station was 3.09 meters, 2.31 meters below the first alarm level. The water flow to Ban Ve Lake at 6:00 p.m. on July 28 was 1,207m³/s. The water level in the lake at the same time is 190.18 meters.

Ban Ve Hydropower Plant has a designed capacity of 320 MW and is built in the upper reaches of Nam Non River (a branch of Lam River). This hydropower dam is located in Yen Na Commune (Tuong Duong), with 2 generators. The reservoir of the hydropower plant has a capacity of 1.8 billion m³with a basin of nearly 9,000 km²This is the largest hydroelectric plant in Nghe An as well as the North Central region.