Strengthening safety assurance of dams and irrigation works

Staff of Phuc Yen Irrigation Company Limited check the operation of the forced flood control system of Dai Lai Lake.

Dai Lai Lake is an inter-reservoir system consisting of Dai Lai, Thanh Cao and Dong Cau lakes built from 1959-1960. In 2009, it was invested in relatively comprehensive renovation and upgrading.

The lake has the task of providing irrigation water for agricultural production, water for daily life and industry, aquaculture, tourism development... In addition to the above tasks, currently in the lake area there are many investment projects in tourism, golf courses, urban areas, ecology, industry...

In the past 10 years, the regulation of Dai Lai Lake has not been regular, and flood discharge has to be carried out many times each year. Phuc Yen city has proactively developed a plan for natural disaster prevention and search and rescue (PCCT&TKCN) for Dai Lai Lake in 2025.

In which, establish the PCTT&TKCN Command Committee of Dai Lai Lake and Command Committees in localities and units located in the Dai Lai Lake basin, assigning specific tasks to each member.

Along with that, organize training to disseminate the approved Dai Lai reservoir regulation operation process; fully prepare materials, human resources, and means according to the 4 on-site motto; provide technical training and practice flood prevention.

Organize a trial alarm to practice response plans for situations such as dam body damage, spillway failure, water intake culverts, and when rain and floods exceed the design frequency.

Along with Dai Lai Lake, Lap Dinh Lake and other small dams in Phuc Yen City, the City People's Committee also directed localities and related units to proactively develop a plan for disaster prevention and control and search and rescue, ensuring safety, and submit it to the City People's Committee for approval according to regulations.

Phuc Yen Irrigation Company Limited is assigned to manage and operate 8 reservoirs, 1 dam; 4 irrigation pumping stations, 3 drainage pumping stations; 13 canal head sluices and regulation works; nearly 23 km of irrigation canals and 65 km of drainage canals.

In particular, through inspection, the Tan An Dam currently has many cracks in the dam body, water leaks through the rocks, and the risk of an incident during the storm season is very high. The Provincial People's Committee has approved the Investment Proposal Report for the Project to Upgrade the Underground Spillway, Tan An Dam, Thanh Loc Village, Ngoc Thanh Commune, Phuc Yen City from the storm season of 2023, but the project has not been implemented yet.

In addition, some canal and ditch systems in the area have been degraded and damaged through exploitation and use, such as the discharge channel of Dam Lang pumping station, which is being eroded when the pumping station is operating; the Ca Lo river is truncated, the section from Tien Chau regulation to Thinh Ky regulation has a lot of water hyacinth and fish barriers that obstruct the flow; the Dam Ruou - Tam Bao drainage channel has some sections covered by water hyacinth, obstacles, and silted vegetation, etc.

Proactively implementing the work of responding to natural disasters and storms in 2025, Phuc Yen Irrigation Company Limited established a Flood and Storm Prevention and Control Command Committee and assigned tasks to members.

Organize inspection, review and maintenance of all equipment, machinery, electricity, drainage pumping stations, test no-load operation of pumping units; coordinate with localities and related units to organize dredging of canals, remove obstacles, and clear the flow.

Prepare materials, fuel, equipment, etc. to be ready for repair, replacement and supply when necessary, and equip necessary flood and storm prevention items and tools to serve flood and storm prevention work by May 2025.

Closely monitor weather conditions and hydrometeorological forecasts to have plans to prevent, combat, and respond to adverse situations, ensuring the safety of irrigation works. Organize 24/7 duty to ensure 100% of personnel at all designated locations.

Dai Lai Lake spillway has signs posted by authorities restricting vehicle weight to ensure safety.

To improve the effectiveness of flood and storm prevention, natural disasters, as well as the safety of dams and irrigation works in the area, Phuc Yen Irrigation Company Limited hopes that all levels and sectors will pay attention to promptly equipping and installing a flood discharge notification system for Dai Lai Lake; urgently implementing the project of Upgrading the underground spillway, Tan An Dam; repairing and maintaining the opening and closing machines, sluice gates across the dike..., especially the Cua sluice gate of Nam Viem ward.

Direct communes and wards to prevent and clear trees planted inside the Ca Lo River and to clear and thoroughly handle violations within the protection range of irrigation works and on river dykes to ensure water drainage during floods...

Article and photos: Nguyen Khanh

Source: http://baovinhphuc.com.vn/Multimedia/Images/Id/129054/Tang-cuong-dam-bao-an-toan-ho-dap-cong-trinh-thuy-loi