QUẢNG TRỊ — Two important irrigation structures in central Quảng Trị Province – the Nam Thạch Hãn flood spillway and Triệu Thượng 2 reservoir – have suffered serious damage, threatening the locality during the ongoing rainy season, vov.vn reported.

A 1,000sq.m concrete structure at the Nam Thạch Hãn flood spillway has broken, and is now at a high risk of collapse.

Meanwhile the roof of the dam at the Triệu Thượng 2 reservoir had been repaired several times but broke again and again.

The two irrigation structures supply water for nearly 20,000ha of farming land in three districts in the south of the province.

They are also a source of water for 200ha of saline aquaculture area and nearly 90,000 households in the lowlands area.

The local authorities are seeking comprehensive solutions with advice from experts.

Professor Nguyễn Chiến from University of Water Resources warned that people’s safety is under threat during the rainy season if there is no proper solution.

For a temporary solution, concrete walls surrounding the structure have been placed to prevent landslides.

Hồ Xuân Hòe, deputy director of Quảng Trị Province’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that experts will be invited to analyse the damage and propose measures.

Đồng Văn Tự, deputy head of the Directorate of Water Resources under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development told vov.vn that there should be short-term solutions to avoid incidents and reduce the budget spent on repair work.

“More than VNĐ10 billion (US$435,000) has been allocated to Quảng Trị Province for the work. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has proposed to the Prime Minister to spare more of the budget to repair Nam Thạch Hãn dam,” he said. — VNS