Bac Khe 1 hydroelectric dam broke, Minister of Industry and Trade sent urgent telegram

The Minister of Industry and Trade has just signed an urgent dispatch to the Chairmen of the People's Committees of Dien Bien, Son La, Lang Son, Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai provinces and the owners and management and operation units of dams and hydropower reservoirs in the area.

The dispatch was issued in the context of water levels in many rivers in the North rising rapidly, exceeding alert level 3, posing a high risk of flooding, flash floods and landslides in low-lying and mountainous areas.

Notably, at around 1:30 p.m. on October 7, at Bac Khe 1 Hydropower Plant (Tan Tien Commune, Lang Son Province), a part of the dam wall broke. The break was about 4-5 meters long and 3-4 meters deep.

Faced with the above situation, the Minister requested the leaders of Lang Son province to urgently direct the Department of Industry and Trade to inspect the incident, request Bac Khe 1 Hydropower Plant and functional units to immediately deploy emergency response plans, ensuring absolute safety for people downstream.

The Minister also requested local leaders to closely monitor the flood situation, promptly provide warnings, and proactively prepare evacuation plans when necessary. Hydropower management units must operate according to procedures and be on standby 24/7 to respond to unusual situations.

At the same time, direct the Department of Industry and Trade to immediately establish inspection teams to monitor the operation of hydropower reservoirs in the province, especially small hydropower reservoirs (Nam Cat, Ta Lang, Khuoi Thuoc, Na Loa, Na Tau, Tien Thanh, Thoong Cot 2, Pac Cap, Thuong An) to promptly direct the work of ensuring the safety of dams, reservoirs and downstream areas.

Investors, management and operation units of hydropower plants must be on duty 24/7, promptly report on the operating situation; strictly comply with reservoir and inter-reservoir operation procedures; strengthen warnings for people downstream and prepare response plans according to the "4 on-site" motto...

The Department of Industrial Safety Techniques and Environment was assigned to immediately organize an inspection team to ensure the safety of dams and reservoirs in Lang Son and Cao Bang provinces. Strengthen direction and supervision of the safe operation of dams and reservoirs of hydropower projects in the Northern region, especially hydropower plants in Cao Bang, Lang Son, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, Son La and Lai Chau provinces.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/kinh-doanh/vo-dap-thuy-dien-bac-khe-1-bo-truong-cong-thuong-gui-cong-dien-hoa-toc-20251007171805552.htm