Inauguration of the first Sapo dam in Nam Pam commune

Panoramic view of Sapo dam in Nam Pam commune, Muong La district.
Photo: Duc Binh (Contributor)

The Technical Cooperation Project “Improving the capacity to reduce the risk of flash floods and landslides in the Northern mountainous region” funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will be implemented from 2022 to 2025. Vietnamese and Japanese experts have coordinated to survey, analyze, and specifically assess the level of flash flood and landslide risks in each district of the province. Nam Pam commune is a locality with a high level of risk, especially in the context of increasingly complex climate change. The Nam Pam stream basin has experienced flash floods that have caused great damage to people and property of the state and people.

Mr. Kobayashi Yosuke, Chief Representative of JICA in Vietnam, spoke at the inauguration ceremony. Photo: Duc Binh (Contributor).

Sabo Dam - a type of rock and mud flood prevention structure that has been widely and effectively applied in Japan, has been deployed in Son La . The project started construction in September 2024, with a length of 61 m, a height of 9 m at the dam shoulder, a spillway height of 6 m, a dam crest width of 3 m and a dam bottom width of 6.6 m. There are 6 gaps on the dam body, each gap is 2 m wide. The dam is capable of retaining a large amount of rock and mud from the flood, preventing driftwood and other obstacles, helping to protect the safety of the downstream area.

Leaders of the Department of Agriculture and Environment and representatives of the sponsors attached a sign to the project. Photo: Duc Binh (Contributor)

The completion and operation of the Sabo Dam project also demonstrates the sustainable and close cooperative relationship between Son La province and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The project demonstrates the companionship and sharing of international friends in the work of protecting the lives, assets and sustainable development of people in the highlands.

The Department of Agriculture and Environment of Son La province requested the project implementing unit and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to continue investing in completing 12 dams in Son La province as planned so that the project can maximize its effectiveness, contributing to minimizing the risks of flash floods and landslides.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/xa-hoi/khanh-thanh-dap-sapo-dau-tien-tai-xa-nam-pam-cStUKmJNR.html