Flood came at night, the lower reaches of Bo River were half a meter deep.

Thua Thien - Hue On the night of December 2, Huong Dien Hydropower Plant increased water regulation downstream, causing a series of residential areas downstream of the Bo River to be flooded by 0.3-0.5 m.

Under the influence of cold air, from the night of November 30 to the morning of December 2, Thua Thien Hue had 150-300 mm of rain. Some places such as the northern mountainous area upstream of Bo River, Rao Trang 4 Hydropower Dam, Rao Trang 3 Hydropower Dam had 350 mm of rain.

Many inter-commune roads in Phong An were flooded, people traveled by boat. Photo: Cong Phuoc — Many inter-commune roads in Quang Phu, Quang Dien district were flooded, people had to travel by boat. Photo: *Tuan Hiep*

At 3 a.m. on December 2, Huong Dien Hydropower Reservoir in the upper reaches of the Bo River regulated water to the downstream with a flow rate of 2,500 m3/s, causing many areas in Phong An and Phong Hien communes of Phong Dien district; Huong Van and Huong Toan wards of Huong Tra town; and Quang An, Quang Thanh and Quang Phu communes of Quang Dien district to be flooded 0.3-0.5 m.

The factory is more than 200 meters from the Bo River. Nguyen Dinh Duc, 36 years old, in Huong Toan Ward, Huong Tra Town, was surprised when the brick foundry was flooded about 0.3 meters even though it was not raining heavily. Many machines and tools were submerged.

Floodwaters flooded the foundry's embankment more than 30 cm high. Photo: Dinh Duc — Floodwaters flooded the brick foundry more than 30 cm deep. Photo: *Dinh Duc*

Mr. Duc said that yesterday, hearing the forecast of heavy rain, Huong Dien Hydropower Plant regulated floodwater downstream, but found that the water flow was insignificant. "With the regulated flow as announced, my factory would never be flooded. However, the plant increased the discharge flow so I couldn't react in time," Mr. Duc said.

Mr. Tran Cong Phuoc, Chairman of Phong An Commune, said that the floodwaters came quickly during the night and flooded Provincial Road 11 to Phong Son and Phong Xuan communes. To ensure safety, the commune has prevented people from passing through.

Phong An commune authorities put up ropes, prohibiting people from passing through. Photo: Cong Phuoc — Phong An commune authorities put up ropes, prohibiting people from passing through. Photo: *Cong Phuoc*

Explaining the increase in water discharge at night, Mr. Dang Van Hoa, Chief of Office of the Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue of Thua Thien Hue province, said that in anticipation of heavy rain, Huong Dien hydropower reservoir had regulated the water level to the lowest level of 56.3 m. However, the Rao Trang area had been raining continuously, the amount of water flowing into the reservoir was too large, so it was forced to discharge.

"At this time, the water retention mission of Huong Dien hydroelectric reservoir no longer exists. The amount of water coming from upstream will be regulated downstream," said Mr. Hoa.

According to the meteorological agency, at 5am this morning, the water level of the Bo River at Phu Oc station rose to 3.84m, 0.66m below alert level 3. The flood of the Bo River is forecast to continue to rise, possibly peaking this morning at level above alert level 3 (the highest level), then slowly decreasing.

Vo Thanh

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