Nguyen Ngoc Quang, deputy chairman of the People’s Committee in the central province of Quang Nam, said on Sunday that the province has a contingency plan to evacuate residents in case of a dam breach at the Song Tranh 2 Hydropower Plant.
He was speaking in an online exchange hosted by the Government Web Portal in Da Nang City attended by Nguyen Quy Nhon, deputy commander of Military Region 5, and Tran Van Duoc, deputy director-general of Vietnam Electricity (EVN), investor of the Song Tranh 2 Hydropower Plant.
According to Mr. Quang, Military Region 5 and the province have worked out a plan to evacuate residents in case of a sudden dam breach.
With earthquakes continuously reoccurring around the plant area, local residents are worrying about a dam breach, though relevant ministries and central departments have affirmed that the plant dam is safe.
Mr. Quang said that more than 31,000 people in four districts of Bac Tra My, Nong Son, Tien Phuoc and Hiep Duc will be affected if the Song Tranh 2 Hydropower Plant dam breaches.
Province authorities have informed residents to keep ready their most valuable belongings, so as to evacuate immediately when the incident occurs.
Besides, authorized organs in the province have also surveyed areas affected by earthquakes in Bac Tra My District and listed damage that local people have had to suffer. They will report to EVN and the Ministry of Industry and Trade and seek assistance for the affected people.
Tran Van Duoc, deputy director-general of EVN, said that all hydropower and irrigation reservoirs must operate in accordance with rules set by authorized organs.
The Vu Gia-Thu Bon River system in Quang Nam Province has three hydropower plants, namely, Dak Mi 4, Song Tranh 2 and A Vuong, which are operating as per Government regulations.
So far, the Government has not allowed the Song Tranh 2 Hydropower Plant to accumulate water in its reservoir.
