To guarantee safety of dike system in rainy season

In response to complicated changes of the weather in this rainy season, Provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Search Rescue (hereafter referred to as Provincial Steering Committee) proposed many solutions to minimize losses due to rainstorm. In particular, special attention is paid to ensuring the safety of lakes and dams in the province.

The agricultural sector cooperates with irrigation operators and localities in the province to inspect irrigation works and dykes to guarantee the safety in this year's rainy season.

Good implementation of options

In order to ensure the safety of irrigation reservoirs and dams, Provincial Steering Committee directed provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, districts, towns and cities to coordinate the inspection, assessment of the current status of all irrigation works in their area, to check in detail vital parts of the works. In particular, reservoirs, sewers under river dykes, pumping stations, dikes, tidal embankments, flood protection and drainage systems must be carefully checked; check in detail the essential parts of the works, such as: Valve gates, open balers, upstream and downstream dam roofs, flood spillways, drains under the dams of water reservoirs; works that are newly put into operation, newly repaired and upgraded and small water reservoirs must be also inspected.

In April 2022, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Department of Irrigation coordinated with Provincial Steering Committee of districts, towns, cities, and project management and exploitation units to conduct the inspection, before the 2022 rainy season, of some key works and projects, such as Can Nom reservoir, Da Ban reservoir, Tu Van 1 and 2 reservoirs; dikes including An Son - Lai Thach, Tan An - Chanh My, An Tay - Phu An; Binh Hoa, Song Than - Dong An canals… The inspection results show that most of the reservoirs and dams operated normally, ensured safety during the 2022 rainy season. Some minor damaged items do not affect the safety of the works and are repaired by management units. The delegation recognized and appreciated the roles and responsibilities of the management and operation units in improving the capacity to serve the works as well as ensuring safety during the flood season.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development issued Official Letter No. 583/SNN-XDCT dated March 28th 2022 on strengthening the management of dykes and preparing for dykes, flood and storm protection in 2022; Official Letter No. 622/SNN-XDCT dated March 30th 2022 implementing measures to enhance the safety of irrigation works during the 2022 flood season. In particular, the department instructed management units to carry out a number of tasks to ensure the safety of reservoirs and dykes during the flood season.

Proactive preventions

Vu Ngoc Thin, Deputy Director of Provincial Irrigation Department, said that in order to ensure reservoir dam safety in all situations, this unit advised Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to direct management units to strengthen the regular and unexpected inspection of the works. To request the management and exploitation units to timely remedy and repair the damage; to consolidate and upgrade the degraded and damaged dyke sections and construction items; to check the implementation of national standards on the management and operation of reservoir works. To organize the meeting of the Advisory Council to evaluate the safety of dams and reservoirs, submit water analysis plan to the Provincial People's Committee for consideration and decision. To direct, inspect and instruct management units to implement  provisions of law on management and safety of dams and water reservoirs in accordance with the Decree 114/2018/ ND-CP dated September 4th 2018 on management and safety of dams and water reservoirs.

In addition, Irrigation Branch Office performs the serious disaster prevention work, regularly monitors and updates information on hydrometeorology, high tide, flood discharge of reservoirs; forecasts weather, temperature, hydrometeorology, rain, storms to have timely notice and warning to irrigation management units, localities and people to take proactive measures; advise the Provincial Steering Committee to direct localities to promptly and effectively handle disaster situations...

However, according to the warnings of experts, functional sectors of the province, agencies, departments, localities and people should not ignore, be subjective in the face of complicated weather. Agencies, units and people should heighten vigilance, take initiative and willingness to prevent natural disasters to avoid material and human damage in the coming rainstorm season. Additionally, to direct, inspect and instruct management units to implement  provisions of law on management and safety of dams and water reservoirs in accordance with the Decree 114/2018/ ND-CP dated September 4th 2018 on management and safety of dams and water reservoirs.

Reported by Thoai Phuong - Translated by Ngoc Huynh