Urgent evacuation of 70 households due to risk of bursting 1.7 million m³ irrigation reservoir in Lam Dong

thủy lợi - Ảnh 1. — The dam body is covered with tarpaulin to prevent water from seeping in and weakening the structure - Photo: HIEP TRAN

On the evening of November 7, the People's Committee of Ta Nang commune ( Lam Dong province) issued an urgent evacuation order for 70 households in Chan Rang Hao and Tou Nhe villages due to the risk of Cay An irrigation reservoir bursting.

The Department of Agriculture and Environment of Lam Dong province also provided information after a detailed survey of Cay An irrigation reservoir. Specifically, there is a crack 50m long, 0.5m wide, 1m deep below the dam. There is a risk of breakage if not promptly repaired and there is a lot of rain in the coming days. Tonight, the authorities will carry out pile driving, water pumping to reduce the load... At the same time, they will put soil in sacks so that if there is an incident, it can be used to stop the flow urgently.

thủy lợi - Ảnh 2. — Cracks at the foot of Cay An irrigation dam - Photo: HT

The evacuation began at 8:30 p.m., with people being relocated to schools, religious facilities and homes in safe areas.

According to the People's Committee of Ta Nang commune, from 2:00 p.m. the same day, the water level of Cay An lake approached the overflow level, posing a potential risk of dam failure or overflowing downstream.

Authorities asked people not to graze livestock, swim, fish or live near the lake and downstream streams, and to urgently evacuate people and property from areas that are frequently flooded.

One of the main reasons that made the incident so serious, according to the People's Committee of Ta Nang commune, is that in recent weeks, localized slides have appeared downstream on the left shoulder of the main dam, forming cracks and groundwater seeping through the foot of the dam.

Some other locations also recorded water seepage and leakage, putting the project in a dangerous state and requiring immediate measures to ensure downstream safety.

thủy lợi - Ảnh 3. — Military forces support the repair of the dam body - Photo: HIEP TRAN

Police, militia and commune officials were mobilized to support evacuation, ensure necessities and rescue equipment and be on duty 24/7 to respond to bad situations. The Cay An lake dam bank is being reinforced with tarpaulin to prevent subsidence and limit seepage.

Cay An Lake was put into use in 2007, with a capacity of about 1.7 million m³, providing irrigation water for about 250 hectares of agricultural land in Ta Nang commune.

At 10 p.m., the Lam Dong Provincial Military Command mobilized 150 soldiers and 50 militiamen to the scene of Cay An Lake to support the dam rescue and evacuation work.