Storm No. 10 has passed, but the consequences it left behind are still extremely serious and extremely severe.
During the fierce floods, 6 people in Cao Bang died along with many traffic works, houses, schools... Preliminary statistics of property damage in the locality have exceeded the threshold of 1,000 billion VND.
At the time of the circulation of storm No. 10, the central area of Cao Bang province recorded a historic flood (overcoming the peak of the flood in 1986). In the early morning of October 1, the data recorded the water level of the Bang River at 185.22m, up to 2.72m higher than the alarm level III.
"Yagi last year's storm was not as severe as this one. The floodwaters are too high, we have lost everything, said Ms. Trieu Kim Cuc (Thuc Phan ward) choked up as she watched the floodwaters swallow up all of her family's assets.
At Xanh Market and Song Hien Market (centre of Cao Bang Province) on the evening of September 30, the water level of the Bang River continuously rose, the water rose so quickly that households could not move their belongings in time.
In just a few short hours, the Xanh market area was submerged in more than 2 meters of floodwater. The goods of traders suffered losses of over 90 billion VND.
Many people believe that the flood water rose too quickly partly due to the sudden release of floodwaters from small hydropower plants in the area.
On the night of September 29, speaking with reporters, Mr. Luan Chien Cong - Secretary of the Party Committee of Hoa An commune said that he and the Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune are visiting each household in Hamlet 6 Be Trieu, Ma Quan, Na Tang... to relocate people and property.
"The higher and faster the water rises at night, the more people have been affected by flood discharge, crops, and crops lost" - the head of the Hoa An Commune Party Committee informed.
It is known that Hoa An area is one of the first places affected by floods discharged from the small hydropower plant of Binh Long
On the morning of September 30, many hamlets in Hoa An commune were completely isolated by floodwaters, and rescue forces had to use a motorboat to reach their homes and relocate them, providing food.
On October 4, Chairman of the People's Committee of Cao Bang province Le Hai Hoa signed and issued a document directing No. 4105/UBND-KT on controlling the operation of the flow-in-flow hydropower project to prevent flood resonation in the context of storm No. 11 about to make landfall.
The content of the document shows that, through grasping the situation at the grassroots level, the whole province currently has many small hydropower projects operating in the form of flood management, without reservoirs to regulate floods.
Although there is not enough basis to conclude the cause of the hydropower plant, the signs of lack of regulation and warning are real. If not controlled immediately, the risk will increase when storm No. 11 makes landfall.
"Hydropower project investors are absolutely not allowed to release water freely under any circumstances. All operating regimes must comply with approved procedures, with at least 2 hours of notice to the commune-level authorities.
It is necessary to arrange officers on duty at the discharge point, coordinate with the authorities to issue early warnings and support the evacuation of people. Investors are fully responsible before the law if there are consequences due to uncontrolled operations, failure to notify in time or avoiding coordination with localities" - the content of the document.
In particular, the Chairman of the People's Committee of Cao Bang province emphasized that hydropower plant owners must immediately implement the instructions when receiving the hydropower plant.
On October 5, the Chairman of the People's Committee of Cao Bang province continued to request hydropower reservoir owners to release water to the dead water level before 12:00 on October 6 to increase the capacity to receive floodwaters, not discharge at the same time and notify the authorities at least 4 hours in advance.
It can be seen that the head of the Provincial People's Committee is paying special attention to the operation process of small hydropower plants in the area, continuously directing to ensure that the fierce flood does not once again rob property that people have accumulated for a lifetime.
It is known that in Cao Bang province, there are 18 small hydropower plants in operation, generating electricity.
On October 6, information from the Cao Bang Provincial Hydrometeorological Station said that from noon, afternoon and night on October 6-7, the rain will increase very quickly. Rivers flowing through the flood area will reach alert level 3. The flood amplitude is forecast to be about 3-6m. The Provincial Civil Defense Command and the authorities of communes and wards are being required to be on duty 24/7, closely monitoring floods, promptly warning and evacuating people in dangerous areas.
