HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) today submitted to Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc a report on water release by the Hố Hô hydropower plant.

The release of water in October caused intensive flooding in central Hà Tĩnh and Quảng Bình provinces.

According to the report, water was urgently released by the Hố Hô power plant from 5.30pm on October 14 to 2am the next day, with a capacity of 192cu.m. per second, increasing the water level in lowland areas. 

Torrential rainfall in these provinces at the same time as the release of water caused floods in these lowland areas and submerged thousands of houses.

The water release is relevant to reservoir operation regulations to avoid even more serious risks for lowland areas, the MoIT said.

However, the The MoIT confirmed that the Hồ Bốn Hydropower Joint Stock Company, investor of Hố Hô power plant, failed to fully and seriously follow the plant’s operating regulations in announcing the release.

Inspection of the facilities before the rainy season was not conducted thoroughly, therefore the company was unable to predict possible hazards such as landslides.

MoIT will impose administrative penalties on Hồ Bốn company in connection with violations concerning safety for dams.

“In case of repeated violations, the ministry will consider revoking the operation licence of Hố Hô power plant,” the report said.

Electricity of Việt Nam and North Power Corporation are in charge of ordering Hồ Bốn company to review mistakes of related individuals and organisations, undertake measures to avoid landslides and fix the eroded route to the dam and the plant.

MoIT also asked local authorities of Hà Tĩnh and Quảng Bình provinces to review flood prevention measures in lowland areas around the Hố Hô power plant and clarify responsibilities of relevant units in flood prevention, such as committees for natural disaster prevention and rescue at district and ward levels.

Hố Hô power plant, located between the two localities of Hà Tĩnh and Quảng Bình, was put into operation in 2010. It has power of 14 megawatt and its reservoir has capacity of 38 million cu.m. — VNS