Yen Thanh: 6 reservoirs are at emergency alert level

Quan Hai reservoir in Phuc Thanh commune, Yen Thanh district is full and has to be allowed to flow through two spillways. Photo: Van Truong

Mr. Nguyen Cong Kien - Director of Yen Thanh Irrigation Enterprise said that the 6 reservoirs are:Ve Vung Lake, Xuan Nguyen Lake in Dong Thanh Commune, Don Hung Lake in Hung Thanh Commune, Quan Hai Lake in Phuc Thanh Commune, Ma To Lake, Nha Tro Lake in Tan Thanh Commune.

Quan Hai Reservoir is located in Phuc Thanh Commune.Yen Thanhhas a capacity of 5.3 million m³, currently the lake is full of water and flows through the main and secondary spillways with a water level of 1.5 meters.

A worker managing Quan Hai Lake said: The lake has 4 security and management workers. "At this time, we are constantly operating, 2 workers are responsible for measuring rain, monitoring water levels, 2 workers are monitoring the current status of the dam, not allowing people to pass through the spillway. We regularly update information and water level situation to notify local authorities so that they can promptly take response measures," he said.

Some residential areas in Phuc Thanh and Yen Thanh communes near Quan Hai lake have been flooded, and evacuation plans are ready. Photo: Van Truong

Mr. Tran The Anh - Chairman of the People's Committee of Phuc Thanh Commune said: The commune has sent forces to coordinate with the irrigation unit to be on duty at Quan Hai reservoir 24/24h, regularly informing on the loudspeaker system about the water level situation and the plan to evacuate to a safe place. In particular, the commune has prepared supplies, equipment, storm and flood prevention, and food reserves to supply to the people.

Currently, due to rising water levels in some residential areas near the reservoir, the Commune People's Committee has dispatched militia and youth forces to assist in evacuating 16 households, along with their livestock and belongings, to a safe place.

One of the reservoirs in Yen Thanh is overflowing. Photo: Van Truong

Don Hung Lake in Hung Thanh Commune is also in an emergency situation, the water level of the lake has overflowed. Currently, the People's Committee of Hung Thanh Commune has sent militia and self-defense forces to collect and transport the belongings of the school and medical station (near the lake) that have been flooded to a safe place. The commune has a plan to evacuate over 200 households in Hong Linh and Lac Thanh hamlets if they are flooded.

Ve Vung reservoir in Dong Thanh commune, Yen Thanh is full of water, currently the overflow level has reached 1.3 meters. Photo: Van Truong

Faced with the above situation, Yen Thanh Irrigation Enterprise has coordinated with local authorities of communes to be on duty at the reservoir 24/7, focusing on regularly monitoring the reservoir water level to have timely response measures.

Mr. Le Van Hong - Head of the Agriculture Department of Yen Thanh district added: Regarding the 6 reservoirs in the state of emergency, according to the review, if an incident occurs, about 800 households in the downstream communes will be affected by flooding. The district has directed the communes to develop specific plans to respond, specifically preparing plans to evacuate people to safe places in case of an incident.

Currently, Yen Thanh district has over 200 large and small reservoirs, of which only about 60% have been upgraded, while many local reservoirs are still in disrepair./.