Since 2024, the erosion of the Chay River bank, passing through Thac Ba commune, has affected the houses and outbuildings of hundreds of households, some of which have collapsed into the river. This situation is still ongoing. People believe that the Thac Ba 2 Hydropower Plant's operation of storing water is the main cause of the erosion, while the plant denies this. Finding an answer is a problem for the authorities.
After the flood caused by storms No. 10 and 11, the landslide situation along the Chay River in Thac Ba commune continued to be complicated. Fearing that their lives would be affected, some households had to move to a safe place to stay, waiting for the authorities to assess the current situation.
According to statistics from the People's Committee of Thac Ba commune, the whole commune currently has 63 households located in the dangerous landslide risk area on the Chay river bank, including 1 household in village 3 and 2 households in Tien Phong village.
When reporters recorded the actual situation of landslides at some points along the river, many residents and officials of Thac Ba commune expressed their concern because this situation is getting more complicated every day. Not long ago, 2 households on the riverbank near the gate of the commune People's Committee had their houses "pulled" into the river, many households had their fences collapsed, outbuildings collapsed, the house floors sank, exposing the foundation structure, and the walls were cracked.
As one of three households in the dangerous landslide area in village 2, Thac Ba commune, Mr. Hoang Van Hung said: In April 2025, when Thac Ba 2 Hydropower Plant closed the dam to store water, the landslide situation became more severe. Initially, it was the alluvial area, then the outbuildings, barns and then the people's houses. Up to now, the house foundation, the floor, especially the kitchen area of the family has seriously subsided.
"My family is very worried as the landslide situation is getting more and more serious, while the cause and remedial measures by the relevant units have not yet been determined," Mr. Hung confided.
Next door, Mr. Pham The Mau’s house is in a similar situation. Looking up from the riverbank at the precarious house, Mr. Mau cannot help but worry: If there is no timely remedy, with the current erosion rate, in just a short time, the water will “swallow” my family’s house into the river.
“In May 2025, my family and 6 households in residential group 2 (now village 2) sent a petition to the People's Committee of Yen Binh district (formerly), then to the People's Committee of Yen Bai province (formerly) requesting to investigate the cause of the landslide. On June 18, 2025, the People's Committee of Yen Bai province (formerly) responded in writing, directing the Department of Agriculture and Environment to preside over and coordinate with the Department of Industry and Trade, the People's Committee of Yen Binh district (formerly) and relevant agencies and units to review and evaluate the current situation, determine the cause and handle it according to the provisions of law. However, since then, the matter has not been clarified,” Mr. Mau added.
According to information from the People's Committee of Thac Ba Commune, the landslide (upstream of Thac Ba 2 Hydropower Plant) appeared from the beginning of September 2024, peaking on September 13 when 5 houses in residential group No. 2 collapsed and fell into the Chay River. Then, in April 2025, when Thac Ba 2 Hydropower Plant stored water to generate electricity, the landslide increased.
Faced with this situation, the households have filed a petition to the local government and relevant departments and agencies to investigate the cause and determine the responsibility of Thac Ba 2 Hydropower Investment Joint Stock Company, the operator of Thac Ba 2 Hydropower Plant.
Talking to reporters, Mr. Pham Van Hien - Chairman of Thac Ba Commune People's Committee said: Previously, riverbank erosion rarely occurred, however, since Thac Ba 2 Hydropower Plant stored water to generate electricity, along with the complicated situation of rain and floods, landslides in riverside areas have increased.
Before the province's merger, on May 22, 2025, the People's Committee of Yen Binh district (formerly) organized a field inspection team and worked with 6 households in residential group No. 2, Thac Ba town (now Thac Ba commune) that suffered damage and impact caused by landslides and representatives of Thac Ba 2 Hydropower Investment Joint Stock Company to clarify some contents such as: Determining the boundary between the hydropower reservoir and the land of households; initial statistics of damage caused by landslides.
According to the conclusion of the inspection team, Thac Ba 2 Hydropower Investment Joint Stock Company has restored the current status of the landmarks along the Chay River in accordance with the environmental impact assessment decision issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment as a basis for consideration and resolution. Along with that, the Company has a plan to support households whose houses and structures have been eroded, ensuring the safety of people's lives and property. The People's Committee of Thac Ba town (old) is assigned to review all land along the Chay River (section passing through the town), measure, and extract data from land plots to prepare records to issue land use right certificates to households that have not been granted. The People's Committee of Yen Binh district (formerly) also requested the People's Committee of Yen Bai province (old) to direct the Department of Construction, Department of Agriculture and Environment... to organize inspections and assessments of the current status, clearly identify the causes of erosion to advise on solutions in accordance with the law.
However, due to objective reasons, the work of inspecting and handling the landslide situation has not been completely resolved, causing great impact on people's lives.
As mentioned above, from 2024 to present, the landslide situation on the Chay River bank, passing through Thac Ba commune, has affected many houses and ancillary works of households, some of which have collapsed into the river. Currently, due to increasingly complicated rain and floods, the increasing landslide situation is threatening the safety of life and property of people living on both banks. The local government and people hope that the provincial authorities will soon find the cause and advise the Provincial People's Committee to direct the remedy of this situation to stabilize the lives of local people and protect traffic infrastructure.
According to the reporter, the landslide not only affects households but also National Highway 37, the section passing through Thac Ba commune is also seriously affected. In many sections, the flow has deeply penetrated the road corridor, causing traffic safety problems.
The big question is whether the cause of the Chay River bank erosion is due to the water storage and discharge activities of the Thac Ba 2 Hydropower Plant as reported by the people or due to natural disasters, or due to people encroaching on the river flow to build works and houses leading to the erosion... Evaluating and answering the above question in a scientific and objective manner requires technical data such as topographic maps, geodetic measurements on both sides of the river before and after the water discharge operations of hydropower plants in the area, as well as the history of water level fluctuations. Equally important are geological monitoring reports on the erosion.
To get objective information from many sides, Lao Cai Provincial Newspaper, Radio and Television reporters had a meeting with Thac Ba 2 Hydropower Investment Joint Stock Company. Through the meeting, the representative of this unit affirmed that the water storage for electricity generation does not affect the houses of households on both sides of the river. Because the unit has never stored water beyond the allowable threshold, except during emergency storms and floods.
Mr. Hoang Anh Tuan - Director of Thac Ba 2 Hydropower Investment Joint Stock Company said: The landslide has been happening since 1 year ago when storm No. 3 made landfall. Specifically, on September 13, 2024, 5 houses in residential group No. 2, Thac Ba commune had their foundations collapsed and collapsed into the Chay River.
“After a period of storing water to generate electricity at Thac Ba 2 Hydropower Plant, our company has reviewed and supported 3 households to move their houses to ensure safety. Currently, 4 households have been affected in their garden land and outbuildings, and the unit has supported the construction of embankments to prevent landslides. The households whose houses were eroded during the recent flood are not located in the affected area of the hydropower reservoir, so the unit is not responsible,” Mr. Hoang Anh Tuan added.
Another issue that needs attention is how is the land management and construction along the Chay River in Thac Ba commune implemented? Because, in some places, the construction of houses, wharves, etc. has been quite complicated and has lasted for many years. When the riverbank has been "damaged" by excavation and dumping activities, it will obstruct the flow and the ability to resist erosion of newly built works will also be greatly reduced.
It is known that from July 5 to 7, 2025, the People's Committee of Thac Ba commune inspected the compliance with land use laws of 7 households located along the Chay River. Most of the households have been building houses, works, and warehouses on land that has not been granted a certificate of land use rights, have not presented related documents, or are using the land for the wrong purpose... This is raising issues of land management.
To completely resolve the situation of landslides on the Chay River bank in Thac Ba commune, it is necessary to have the active participation of departments, branches, local authorities and the cooperation of Thac Ba 2 Hydropower Investment Joint Stock Company. At the same time, it is necessary to clarify the cause of landslides, thereby having a basis for long-term solutions, so that this situation can be resolved quickly, completely, in accordance with the actual situation, ensuring the harmony of legitimate rights of affected people.
Source: https://baolaocai.vn/can-lam-ro-nguyen-nhan-gay-sat-lo-ven-song-chay-tai-xa-thac-ba-post884395.html
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