Checking the implementation of flood discharge procedures of hydropower plants on Chay River

Based on the results of the inspection and review, the Lao Cai Department of Industry and Trade will determine whether the hydropower plants on the Chay River are complying with the reservoir operation and flood discharge procedures or not, and then request appropriate handling.

On August 5, hydroelectric dams on the Chay River in Lao Cai province simultaneously released floodwaters, causing some areas along the river banks to be flooded.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Nguyen Truong Giang, Deputy Director of Lao Cai Department of Industry and Trade, said that immediately after the major flood occurred on the Chay River, causing inundation in many residential areas along the river on August 5, starting from August 6 to 7, the Department of Industry and Trade established an inspection team in coordination with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, People's Committees of Simacai, Bac Ha, and Bao Yen districts to inspect the reservoir operation and flood discharge procedures of hydropower plants on the Chay River, such as: Simacai Hydropower Plant, Pa Ke Hydropower Plant, Bac Ha Hydropower Plant (Coc Ly), Bao Nhai Hydropower Plant (level 1), Bao Nhai Hydropower Plant (level 2), Nam Luc Hydropower Plant, Vinh Ha Hydropower Plant, and Phuc Long Hydropower Plant.

“Initial results show that most hydropower plants have seriously implemented reservoir operation procedures and flood discharge procedures. However, to have an accurate conclusion, we must focus on collecting documents and comparing information from many channels. When there are official results, the Department of Industry and Trade will report to the Provincial People's Committee to have a handling plan and assign responsibility to the violating hydropower plant (if any)" - Mr. Nguyen Truong Giang added.

Many households in Dien Quan commune, Bao Yen district were deeply submerged in flood water.

As Lao Cai Newspaper reported: At 8:00 a.m. on August 5, Bac Ha Hydropower Plant discharged floodwater with a total flow to the downstream of more than 2,779 m3/s. Then, hydropower plants downstream including Bao Nhai 1 Hydropower Plant and Nam Luc Hydropower Plant simultaneously discharged floodwater, causing the water level downstream of Chay River through Bac Ha and Bao Yen districts to rise, causing flooding in some localities such as Bao Nhai Commune (Bac Ha District) and Dien Quan (Bao Yen District).

Preliminary statistics from localities show that the floods have inundated and affected many houses, transport infrastructure and agricultural areas in the downstream of the Chay River. Specifically, in terms of housing, 37 houses were affected, of which 17 were in Bao Yen district, 8 in Bac Ha district and 1 in Simacai district. The most severely damaged was the residential area of ​​Trang village, Dien Quan commune, Bao Yen district, many houses were submerged in water more than 1 meter deep.

In addition, the flood on the Chay River has caused inundation and damage to agricultural production in Bac Ha and Bao Yen districts, with a total affected area and damage of more than 108.17 hectares, along with 11 other traffic works and infrastructure affected.

In Bao Yen district, the flood on the river flooded and damaged 71.52 hectares (25.73 hectares of rice; 21.5 hectares of flower crops; 8.8 hectares of cassava; 6.12 hectares of fruit trees; 5.05 hectares of annual crops..., along with 4.3 hectares of water surface for fish farming). In addition, 5 traffic infrastructure works, water works... were also damaged.

In Bac Ha district, floods on the Chay River inundated 36.65 hectares of agricultural crops (20 hectares of rice; 10 hectares of corn, 3 hectares of elephant grass; 2.15 hectares of cassava and vegetables, 0.5 hectares of fruit trees (currently there are many flooded locations whose damage has not been statistically calculated). In addition, floods also damaged 6 traffic works and irrigation infrastructure...

A household in Bao Nhai commune, Bac Ha district was submerged in flood water.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/kiem-tra-viec-thuc-hien-quy-trinh-xa-lu-cua-cac-thuy-dien-tren-song-chay-post388188.html