Every time the flood season is approaching, many households living by river fishing in the fishing village (Thinh Lang ward, Hoa Binh city) are in fear.
Located along the Da River, the households living in Group 14, this fishing village are used to river life and making a living by fishing and aquaculture. However, every time it is the rainy season, households here live in a state of insecurity, especially during the time when Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant releases floodwaters.
Mr. Ngo Van Thong - residing in Group 14, this fishing village said that releasing floodwaters from Hoa Binh hydroelectric reservoir is very necessary in regulating and operating the reservoir, but also disrupts the lives of people around the area, posing many potential risks to life and property.
According to Mr. Thong, the fishing village currently has more than 70 households living there. Every year when the flood season comes, the worry is present in this small village along the river.
"Every time we hear about flood discharge, people are extremely worried. There are times when factories release floodwaters, causing water to rise, causing garbage and mud to surround fish cage areas. There are households that suffered hundreds of millions in damage because the fish cages overturned and the fish died," Mr. Thong shared.
Mr. Quach Van Hung - a household with more than 10 years of experience in raising fish in cages here - said that every time the factory releases floodwaters, people are notified a few hours in advance to move their boats and fish cages closer to the shore.
"Moving is very difficult, there are potential dangers. If not handled in time, damage will be inevitable, Mr. Hung shared.
Faced with this reality, Hoa Binh province has requested competent authorities to closely coordinate in propagating and guiding people to proactively prevent risks when there are floods. Natural disaster response plans are developed in detail, focusing on situations of heavy rain, landslides, and flash floods, ensuring safety for people and infrastructure in riverside areas.
The authorities have strengthened inspection and supervision of waterway transportation, aquaculture and exploitation activities on the lake; at the same time, instructed people to relocate, anchor vehicles, tie up cages and floating houses safely during the flood discharge period.
People here hope to have more practical support policies such as early warnings, technical instructions on prevention and natural disaster risk insurance solutions, to make a living in the middle of the Da River - where they have been attached to all their lives.
