Many low-quality irrigation constructions in the central and Highland regions are threatening lives downstream after storms hit these areas.
A flood spillway created near Ea Dinh Dam
The storm No 8 destroyed two metres of a four-metre long hydropower dam in Krong Nang District, Dac Lac Province. Cao Xuan Phu, an official from the district's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said, "During the storm, water from Ea Dinh Dam swept away 100 coffee plants and ruined many fish farms."
Warnings about a dam break were also raised over the hydropower reservoir Ea K'Mien 3 in Phu Xuan Commune. The authorities had to quickly create a flood spillway in order to relieve the water pressure.
Nguyen Huu Chung, deputy head of the local Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that out of 17 hydropower constructions, Ea Dinh and Ea K'mien 3 pose the the most serious threats because they already have cracks and leaks and lack of proper spillways. However, they cannot carry out any repairs at the moment due to shortage of funds.
In addition, small reservoirs, that have capacity of under 3 million cubic metres, are managed by enterprises or cooperatives. These managers often do not have enough funds or experience to deal with urgent problems.
Quang Nam Province is facing the same situation, with 16 hydropower constructions. The local Department of Industry and Trade said several hydropower dams have not been tested for safety. There are some plants that still do not have reservoir operating procedures or protection plans against heavy storms.
During storm No 8, water poured into the reservoirs of Song Tranh 2 Hydropwer Plant at the speed of 768m3/s, while the capacity of their pump turbines is only 220m3/s. The plant had to discharge water freely. "They should have some contingency plans. If they freely discharge water, the downstream areas will become flooded and suffer heavy damages." Phan Duc Tinh, said Vice Chairman of Dai Loc District.
Previously, hydropower plants along Vu Gia-Thu Bon River such as A Vuong, Dak Mi 4 and Song Tranh 2, built a system to link their reservoirs together to fight against heavy storms, but the system has proven ineffective. Most reservoirs are already full before they can discharge water as planned. In addition, weather forecasts are said to be not fast and accurate enough for the hydropower plants react in time.
