Trung Son Hydropower Plant proactively responds and operates safely during the storm season

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - The 2025 storm season is forecasted to have many unusual developments, with strong storms moving quickly and heavy rains over a large area. Fully aware of the complexity, Trung Son Hydropower Company Limited (TSHPCo) has promptly and synchronously deployed disaster prevention and control and search and rescue (PCTT&TKCN) solutions, ensuring project safety, maintaining stable production and protecting downstream areas.

A working delegation from Thanh Hoa province inspected the operation and safety of dams and reservoirs at Trung Son Hydropower Plant.

Since the beginning of the year, TSHPCo has developed a PCTT&TKCN plan associated with extreme weather scenarios. Comprehensive inspections of dams, reservoirs, monitoring equipment, and warning systems have been carried out thoroughly, while periodic maintenance of key works and electromechanical works has been carried out. These items are to ensure the safe and continuous operation of the plant even in harsh conditions.

Along with technical preparations, the Command Board and PCTT&TKCN shock teams were strengthened and assigned specific tasks. The company organized regular drills based on hypothetical situations to practice quick handling skills, while updating internal and external coordination regulations to avoid being passive or confused when incidents occurred. Right from the beginning of the rainy season, the motto "4 on-site, 3 ready" was activated, fully mobilizing human and material resources for emergency situations.

One of the factors that determine the safety of a reservoir is uninterrupted information. The SCADA system, rain gauges, and automatic flow measuring devices are regularly checked and maintained. The company maintains continuous connection with the Northern Hydrometeorological Station to update data on rain, floods, and reservoir water levels, thereby providing appropriate operating plans. Flood discharge warnings are deployed through many channels: loudspeakers, sirens, and direct notifications to authorities and people in downstream areas. This is an important step to minimize damage when having to operate flood discharge. Mr. Vu Xuan Dung, Chairman and Director of the Company, said: “Proactive response is the key factor. All operating and flood discharge plans have been developed in detail, ready to be activated in case of unusual situations.”

At the end of August, when storms No. 5 and No. 6 directly impacted, a working group from Thanh Hoa province and the Ministry of Industry and Trade inspected the safety of dams and reservoirs in Trung Son. The delegations highly appreciated the proactiveness in strengthening infrastructure, maintaining monitoring systems, and training operational forces. The safety monitoring system operated stably; the reservoir water level remained at an acceptable level, ensuring flood prevention capacity.

With a capacity of over 1.1 billion m3, Trung Son Reservoir is one of the country's key hydropower projects. The operation of the reservoir is strictly carried out according to the Inter-reservoir Process in the Ma River Basin. During the flood season, the reservoir water level is maintained below the normal rising level, ensuring a flood prevention capacity of about 112 million m3. Since the end of July, the company has lowered the water level to 150m to receive floods, reducing pressure on downstream areas. Mr. Le Tan Duy, Head of TSHPCo's Safety Engineering Department, said: "We regularly practice hypothetical situations such as dam breaks, power failures, and landslides to improve response capabilities. The downstream warning system is also periodically checked and is ready to operate immediately upon command."

Before the rainy season, Trung Son Hydropower Plant regularly coordinates with local authorities in Quan Hoa, Ba Thuoc, and Cam Thuy (old) districts to organize propaganda and flood prevention drills for people in the downstream areas. In particular, in communes such as Trung Son and Trung Thanh, field inspections, development and dissemination of response plans when flooding are carried out regularly. People are instructed on evacuation skills and property protection in emergency situations, thereby improving the community's ability to proactively respond to natural disasters.

Article and photos: Bach Nguyen

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/nha-may-thuy-dien-trung-son-chu-dong-ung-pho-nbsp-van-hanh-an-toan-trong-mua-mua-bao-260484.htm