According to Lao Dong Newspaper, on the afternoon of July 30, in the Ngheng Port area (Tan Thinh Ward, old Hoa Binh City, now Hoa Binh Ward, Phu Tho Province), although Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant is releasing floodwater with a bottom spillway as directed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, many people are still calmly bathing in the river, despite warnings from the authorities.
Motorbikes are parked close to the dike, each group carries life jackets and swims and flows into the muddy, fast-flowing water. Worryingly, many people still swim far away without life jackets.
Mr. Ngo Van Thong - head of Van Chau hamlet (old Thinh Lang ward, Hoa Binh city, now Hoa Binh ward, Phu Tho province) - said: "Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant has been releasing floodwater for nearly a month now, causing the downstream water level to rise, the flow is strong and poses many potential dangers. However, despite the warning, many people still keep the habit of swimming in the river as if nothing has changed."
According to Mr. Thong, from 4pm to 6pm every day, dozens of people, both adults and children, are still carelessly diving in the muddy water. Accidents happen every year, even if there is no flood, many people are still subjective.
Meanwhile, Mr. Nguyen Van Huy (42 years old, living in Hoa Binh ward) appeared calm: "I have been bathing in this area for decades. If there is a flood, the water will only flow a little more strongly, I can avoid going into the middle of the river".
Subjectivity in the face of high tides is posing many potential serious safety risks, especially in the context of climate change and unusual floods.
Talking to reporters, Mr. Nguyen Huu Luyen - Chairman of the People's Committee of Hoa Binh Ward, Phu Tho Province - said: "The government has continuously issued warning speakers, coordinated with police and civil defense forces to patrol spontaneous river bathing spots, but some people still deliberately violated.
Swimming in the river at this time is extremely dangerous because the water can rise suddenly, the flow is stronger and difficult to control".
According to Mr. Luyen, although the locality has placed many warning signs and increased propaganda, people's awareness is still a key factor.
As of 4:00 p.m. on July 30, according to an update from Vietnam Electricity Group, the upstream water level of Hoa Binh Lake was at 100.4 m (the normal rising water level was 117 m); total discharge was 3,929 m3/s.
