Urgent measures needed to repair Cay An Lake.

On November 8th, Lam Dong province implemented emergency repairs to the Cay An irrigation reservoir, with a capacity of 1.7 million cubic meters, and assisted residents in relocating downstream.

Emergency construction, ensuring reservoir safety.

Following the discovery of a crack over 50 meters long, causing water seepage and subsidence in the dam body of Cay An reservoir in Ta Nang commune, Lam Dong province, the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee issued an order for the construction of an emergency project to address the problem. The project to remedy the seepage and landslides at Cay An reservoir (phase 1) has a total budget of 2.9 billion VND, funded from the provincial budget reserve, and is scheduled for completion within a maximum of 90 days.

The project to address seepage and landslides at the Cay An reservoir (phase 1) has a total budget of 2.9 billion VND, funded from the provincial budget reserve, with a maximum implementation time of 90 days. Photo: Lam Thien.

According to the decision, the Duc Trong Area Investment and Construction Project Management Board was assigned as the investor, coordinating with the Department of Agriculture and Environment, local authorities, and military forces to organize construction immediately on November 8th. Emergency items include lowering the lake water level, applying waterproof tarpaulin, drilling and piling concrete to reinforce the dam slope, driving mangrove piles, and addressing the subsidence at the dam's base.

The Cay An Reservoir, constructed and put into operation in 2007, has a storage capacity of approximately 1.7 million cubic meters, serving to irrigate over 200 hectares of agricultural land. In recent days, prolonged heavy rains have caused the water level to rise, increasing pressure on the dam, leading to seepage and localized landslides. If the dam breaks, the damage will be enormous for hundreds of households and agricultural land downstream.

According to the leaders of the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee, the remedial plan involves, along with piling, backfilling, and waterproofing with tarpaulin, the authorities deploying 48 grouting boreholes, divided into 3 rows, on the dam's surface in the affected area. Here, steel and concrete will be directly injected into the dam's body to ensure its safety. Simultaneously, monitoring and surveillance will be closely supervised by the authorities, ready to respond should any incidents occur.

Cay An Reservoir was constructed and put into operation in 2007, with a storage capacity of approximately 1.7 million m³, serving to irrigate more than 200 hectares of agricultural land. Photo: Lam Thien.

Supporting people in relocating and stabilizing their lives.

Facing the risk of dam failure, the Ta Nang commune authorities issued an emergency evacuation order for more than 100 households in the two villages of Chan Rang Hao and Tou Nhe on the night of November 7th. Residents were taken to schools, communal houses, religious facilities, and relatives' homes in safe locations. Local authorities provided sufficient supplies, drinking water, blankets, and ensured security in the evacuation area.

According to Nguyen Vu Linh Sang, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ta Nang commune, the commune has advanced 150 million VND from the 2025 budget to provide immediate support for relocated residents. All affected households have been provided with essential supplies, temporary accommodation, and transportation assistance.

Police, military, and local militia forces remain on 24/7 standby in the downstream area to be ready to respond if heavy rains continue. Colonel Dinh Hong Tieng, Commander of the Lam Dong Provincial Military Command, is directly supervising the site to ensure the safety of residents and provide technical support to the construction team.

Locals and authorities are working together to address and temporarily repair the landslide areas. Photo: XN.

Currently, the area is still experiencing rain, posing a high risk of landslides. Authorities in Lam Dong province continue to closely monitor the construction site and are reviewing small and medium-sized reservoirs and dams in the heavy rainfall area to implement timely reinforcement measures.

The incident at Cay An reservoir serves as a clear warning about dam safety in the Central Highlands region, where hundreds of small-scale irrigation projects have been operating for many years and are increasingly affected by extreme weather. The prompt response, support for affected residents, and investment in upgrading the structures demonstrate the provincial government's decisive action to protect people's lives and property before the rainy season and storms.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/khan-cap-khac-phuc-ho-cay-an-d783169.html