On the afternoon of July 27, information about the Ban Ve Hydropower Plant breaking the dam caused thousands of people in the flooded areas of Nghe An to panic and run to higher ground. However, a representative of Ban Ve Hydropower Company affirmed that this information is completely untrue, seriously affecting the community psychology.
From around 4:30 p.m., in many remote communes affected by floods in Nghe An, especially in Tuong Duong commune, a series of people heard the bad news and urgently evacuated. On many roads, people brought their belongings, carried their children, rode motorbikes or walked towards high places in a state of panic and fear. Many people fell and were exhausted from rushing away from the flood while the water was rising rapidly.
Mr. Nguyen Quang Hai - Deputy Head of the Department of Administration and Labor, Ban Ve Hydropower Company - affirmed: "As of 5:00 p.m. on July 27, the water flow to the lake was about 1,200m3/s, the discharge flow was lower, completely within control. The hydropower plant is still operating normally and there are no signs of insecurity".
The company representative said that the peak flood discharge during this rain recorded many times higher than the current level. The reduction in flow shows that the reservoir is gradually stabilizing. Therefore, information about dam breaches is not only unfounded, but also poses a risk of causing serious social consequences if not controlled and handled promptly.
In the face of the above situation, the enterprise requested the authorities to urgently intervene, investigate, verify the source of false information and strictly handle it according to regulations. At the same time, it is necessary to strengthen official communication and promptly announce reservoir parameters so that people are not confused, avoiding the psychology of inciting the chain in emergency situations.
The dissemination of fake news in the context of natural disasters not only makes people afraid, but can also disrupt rescue work, causing damage to health, property and local security and order. This is an valuable lesson in information governance and responsibility of each person in the era of strong social network development.
