Many places downstream of O Lau River in Phong Dien district are deeply flooded.

The Provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control said that from the morning of October 13 to the night of October 14, in the area from Ha Tinh to Quang Nam, there was heavy to very heavy rain with common rainfall from 200-400mm, in some places over 700mm.

It is forecasted that from October 14 to 17, Thua Thien Hue province will likely experience a heavy rainstorm. The total rainfall for the entire period will be 200-400mm, with some places reaching over 500mm.

In the past few days, the rainfall measured at stations was generally from 100-300mm, some stations were higher such as: Quang Phu, Quang Dien district 587mm; Hoa My lake, Phong Dien 442mm; Rao Trang 4, Phong Dien 413mm. From 7pm on October 12 to 7am on October 13 at stations, it was generally from 80-110mm, some places were higher such as Quang Thanh, Quang Dien 140mm; Phong Dien town, Phong Dien 130mm.

According to the assessment of the Provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, the rainfall in the past few days has mainly concentrated in the plains, coastal areas and mountainous areas of Phong Dien district.

On the morning of October 13, the reporter's records showed that due to rain in the mountainous area of Phong Dien, many communes in the downstream area of O Lau River, Phong Dien district, were still deeply flooded and the water had not receded.

For example, in Phong Hoa and Phong Binh communes, Highway 49B, km4 +500, the section in front of Tran Van Ky school, was flooded about 0.3 m deep. There are 3 villages located near the river and some intra-village roads were flooded from 0.2 to 0.4 m. In particular, the road along Dam Hao was flooded and eroded. The People's Committee of Phong Hoa commune directed the forces to barricade, clear the drainage to reduce flooding and deploy immediate landslide prevention. In these communes, schools at all levels allowed students to stay home to ensure safety.

Currently, the flow to Binh Dien hydroelectric reservoir is very low, mainly regulated through the generator.

According to the People's Committee of Phong Dien district, in addition to the flooded provincial and national roads, other traffic routes in the district were flooded at 25 points with a total length of nearly 16km. Of which, the deepest flood level was 1.3m at the section from Bau Trang bridge to Ma Ne and in front of Phong Chuong Primary School, campus 2, Phong Chuong commune.

Meanwhile, some localities downstream of the Bo River were also flooded in Phong An, the road leading to Phong Xuan commune was still flooded about 0.7m. In Phong Son, the Tu Chanh road to Pho Lai was flooded 0.4mm, the Pho Lai road to Dong Lam was flooded 0.2m.

In addition to causing localized flooding of roads, heavy rains in recent days have also caused landslides on the Bo River embankment section through Residential Group 7, Tu Ha Ward, about 12m long; and erosion of the Bo River bank through Lai Thanh Residential Group, Huong Van Ward, Huong Tra Town, about 5m long. At the Cultural Information Center of Huong Tra Town, lightning struck and burned and damaged some equipment. Currently, warning and remedial work is being carried out by localities.

While it is raining heavily in the plains and coastal areas, in the mountainous areas the water flow to the dams is very low, the water level on the rivers fluctuates above and below the first alarm level. Currently, the water level of irrigation and hydroelectric reservoirs in the province is low and safe and ready to receive floods.

Specifically, on the morning of October 13, Ta Trach Lake +26.16m (7am on October 11 was +25.65m), the flow to the lake was 170m3/s, the flow through the machine was 64m3/s (normal water level +45m). Huong Dien Hydropower Lake +51.46m, the flow to the lake was 350m3/s; the flow through the machine was 66m3/s (normal water level +58m). Binh Dien Hydropower Lake +62.23m; the flow to the lake was 88m3/s; the flow through the machine was 61m3/s (normal water level +85m). A Luoi Hydropower Lake: +552.999m, the flow to the lake was 66m3/s, the flow to the downstream was 21.5m3/s, the flow through the machine was 42.7m3/s (normal water level +553m). Hydroelectric and irrigation reservoirs are ensuring safety.

The road through Phong Hien commune (Phong Dien) is deeply flooded.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Hai, General Director of Binh Dien Hydropower Joint Stock Company, informed that while the normal water level was +85, the pre-flood water level at the lake was +80.6, the current water level was +62.23, the incoming water flow was +88m3/s, mainly regulated through machine operation. There was very little rain in the upstream area, the current water level in the lake was low. Compared to the same period, the water level was +78.4 m equivalent to 322 million m3, the current water level at the lake was +62.3 equivalent to 144 million m3, compared to last year there was a shortage of 180 million m3.

The company has fully prepared human resources, equipment, and materials to respond to heavy rain. The unit has inspected landslide-prone areas, sluice gates, and arranged for on-duty personnel before heavy rain to proactively respond. Regular maintenance of hydraulic mechanical equipment such as spillways, diesel generators, gasoline pumps, drainage pumping systems, etc. is carried out to prepare for the rainy season.

The Provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control requires localities to regularly monitor and update the path of the tropical depression and issue disaster warnings on mass media (Hue-S, Facebook, Website of the Provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, Provincial Hydro-Meteorological Station).

Localities have reviewed plans to respond to heavy rains according to the 4-on-the-spot principle. Review plans to evacuate people in areas at risk of flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas, hilly areas, along rivers, streams, estuaries, coastal areas, construction sites under construction, low-lying and flooded areas to ensure the safety of people's lives and property and the State.

The Provincial People's Committee requested the Department of Industry and Trade to deploy the work of preventing and combating landslides, ensuring the safety of hydroelectric dams, power supply and transmission systems. Organize inspections of reserve work in localities, especially mountainous areas, remote areas of the province. Inspect the reserve work at enterprises that have signed contracts to serve the people in all situations of natural disasters, storms, floods, landslides, separation, isolation and monitor and inspect the work of ensuring the safety of hydroelectric dams.
Article and photos: HA NGUYEN