An official delegation from the central province of Quang Nam on Monday met with the Song Tranh 2 Hydropower Plant investor to discuss ways to plug the water leak from the main dam of its reservoir, before the onset of the next storm season.
The official delegation that included members of the High Command of Military Region 5; Quang Nam Province Military Command; the provincial Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention; and other relevant departments in the province, met with the plant’s main investor, the Hydropower Project Management Board No.3.
At the meeting, Nguyen Thanh Quang, director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development asked the investor to work with the Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention to inform residents about the leaks, so as to prepare them in event of a worse case scenario.
Tran Tuan Anh, deputy director of the People’s Committee of Bac Tra My District said it is time to seek measures to tackle the dam breach, as it may turn catastrophic.
Major-General Nguyen Quy Nhon, deputy commander of the High Command of Military Region 5 said that the Ministry of National Defense has instructed them to set up a rescue board to protect residents’ lives and properties.
The Hydropower Project Management Board No.3 should also have measures in place to prevent a catastrophe from occurring, Mr. Nhon said.
Quang Nam Province authorities asked the board to build a plan to ensure safety of the dam and the low lying areas by April.
The Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention together with the investor will implement a safeguard plan after approval by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
After the meeting, the delegates inspected the Song Tranh 2 Hydropower Plant reservoir, where leaks have occurred over the last several days.
Although execution units were found repairing and trying to plug the leaks, the water still continued to flow out. The area has been fenced with trellis and a ‘No Entry’ notice board has been put up by the investor.