To ensure safety around lakes and dams in stormy time

In response to unusual weather changes in the rainy season in 2023, Binh Duong provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, Search and Rescue has proposed solutions to minimize damages caused by storms. In particular, special attention is paid to the safety around lakes and dams in the province.

The functional officials inspect the management and operation of Can Nom Lake in Dau Tieng district

Strengthening construction inspection

In order to ensure the safety of irrigation works, dikes and natural disaster prevention in the province, the provincial commanding committee for natural disaster prevention and control, search and rescue has been directed by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD). The commanding committees for natural disaster prevention and control and search and rescue of districts, towns and cities shall coordinate in organizing the inspection and assessment of the current status of all irrigation, dike and disaster prevention works in the area as managed by the local authority. In particular, it is necessary to carefully inspect water reservoirs and sluices under riverside dikes, pumping stations, dikes, and embankments to prevent tides and floods and the system of drainage channels.

In April, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the provincial Sub-Department of Water Resources coordinated with the commanding committees for natural disaster prevention and control and search and rescue of districts, towns and cities and the project management and exploitation units to organize an inspection inspecting works before the rainy season in 2023 at a number of key projects such as Can Nom Lake, Da Ban Lake, Doc Nhan lake, Tu Van Lakes 1 and 2, embankment dikes of An Son - Lai Thieu, Tan An - Chanh My, An Tay - Phu An, Drainage canals of Binh Hoa, Song Than - Dong An among others. After the survey, most of the lakes, dams, and dikes are operating normally under safety norms. The delegation recognized and highly appreciated the roles and responsibilities of the construction management and exploitation units in improving service capacity as well as ensuring safety.

Proactive prevention and response

Vu Ngoc Thin - Deputy Director of the provincial Irrigation Sub-Department, said that in order to ensure the safety of the reservoir dam in all situations, the provincial Irrigation Sub-Department has advised the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to direct management units to strengthen public works along with regular and irregular inspection of works. Thereby, it is suggested that the management and exploitation units promptly overcome and repair the damage, reinforce and upgrade dike sections, inspect the implementation of national standards on the process of management and operation of reservoirs. At the same time, they should advise on consolidating and preparing to hold a meeting of the Advisory Council to assess the safety of dams and reservoirs to propose water storage plan to submit to the provincial People's Committee for consideration and decision. The exploitation management units are urged, inspected and guided to comply with the provisions of laws on management and safety of dams and water reservoirs as prescribed.

Besides, the provincial Irrigation Sub-Department also organizes a serious disaster prevention and control committee to regularly monitor and update information on hydrometeorology, high tide, flood discharge of upstream reservoirs, forecasts on weather conditions, temperature, rain and storms for timely notification and warning information to irrigation works management units, localities and people for proactive measures and responsive actions. The provincial command of natural disaster prevention and control and search and rescue is advised to direct localities to promptly and effectively handle natural disaster situations.

However, according to the warnings of experts, functional branches of the province, agencies, departments, branches, localities and people should not be negligent and subjective to the complicated developments of the weather. Agencies, units and people need to uphold the spirit of vigilance, initiative and readiness to prevent natural disasters to avoid material damages and human casualty in the coming stormy season. At the same time, the mining management units are urged, inspected and guided to comply with the provisions of law on management and safety of dams and water reservoirs as prescribed.

According to the forecast of the Southern Regional Hydro-meteorological Station, a possibility of storms or tropical depressions appearing over the East Sea avail from the second half of June; and in accordance with the climate laws, the number of storms and tropical depressions operating over the East Sea area, as well as affecting the mainland is likely to be approximately the average of many years with about 10-12 storms, of which about 4-7 storms hit the mainland. From July to September 2023, it will affect the northern provinces; from September to November will affect the central provinces and is less likely to directly affect the South and Binh Duong province. From April, Binh Duong province will have seasonal rains. During the time, the phenomena of thunderstorms, lightning, storms, and hail may appear to increase in frequency. The end of the rainy season occurs around mid-November, approximately the multi-year average. The functional sector recommends that people should watch out for dangerous weather phenomena and/or strong thunderstorms accompanied by storms, tornadoes, lightning and hail in the first months of the rainy season and after the rain reductions.

Reported by Thoai Phuong – Translated by Vi Bao