Over 300 personnel mobilised to respond to hydropower plant dam failure
VOV.VN - More than 300 military, police, and local government personnel have been mobilised in Lang Son province, Northern Vietnam, after a partial failure occurred at the Bac Khe 1 Hydropower Plant dam on October 7.
The breach, approximately 5m wide and up to 4m deep, was reported at around 1:30 p.m. at the small-scale hydropower facility located in Tan Tien commune. Although the plant has a modest capacity of 2.4 MW, it holds a reservoir of over 4.2 million cubic metres, raising concerns over downstream flooding.
The mobilised forces swiftly evacuated 196 households, totalling 779 people, from three villages located downstream. Evacuees were relocated to safe shelters such as government offices, schools, and the homes of relatives on higher ground. No casualties have been reported.
While the dam's spillway system remains operational and has helped prevent major flooding directly below the dam, heavy rainfall from Typhoon Matmo and rising river levels have caused significant flooding in low-lying areas of Trang Dinh and That Khe communes. On the evening of October 7, the Bac Giang River exceeded alert level III, reaching a height of 5.73 metres.
Provincial leaders, in coordination with Military Region 1 and relevant forces, are actively assessing the damage and planning urgent repairs to the dam. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Hoang Hiep, who visited the site on the evening of October 7, stressed the need for immediate, well-coordinated action due to the high risk posed by the dam’s large reservoir capacity.
Despite its relatively small designed capacity of just 2.4 MW, the reservoir holds up to 4.8 million cubic metres of water, posing a potentially significant threat to downstream areas, said Hiep, adding this situation requires extremely careful planning of flood prevention and response measures.
According to the Deputy Minister, response teams will access the site as soon as weather conditions allow to implement measures to contain the breach and reduce water discharge downstream.
Emergency supplies, including food, clean water, and medical support, are being provided to affected communities, and evacuation efforts in flooded areas continue.
Typhoon Matmo impact: Widespread flooding engulfs northern Vietnam
VOV.VN - Heavy downpours triggered by Typhoon Matmo's circulation battered several northern localities on October 7, including Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Thanh Hoa, Thai Nguyen, and Tuyen Quang.
