Bac Khe 1 Hydropower Dam Break in Lang Son: Estimated Damage of About 50 Billion VND

According to preliminary estimates, the collapse of the Bac Khe 1 hydropower dam (Tan Tien commune, Lang Son province) directly affected 23 households, with 101 people, in three villages. To prevent the risk of further heavy rain and floods, Lang Son province authorities are continuing to monitor the situation and assist people in downstream communes to evacuate to safe locations. The total initial damage is estimated at about 50 billion VND.

Regarding the incident of the Bac Khe 1 hydropower dam breaking, according to a quick report from the locality, since this morning, October 7, when the Bac Khe 1 hydropower dam was discovered to have a phenomenon, the Bac Khe 1 Hydropower Joint Stock Company sent a document to the People's Committee of Tan Tien commune, after which the commune notified the people to evacuate, so there was no human loss.

Tan Tien Commune Police assisted people at risk of being affected by the Bac Khe 1 hydropower dam collapse to move their assets to a safe place.

Regarding the immediate impact, the dam break affected three villages, including Bac Khe, Na Soong and Hop Luc of Tan Tien commune with a total of 196 households and 779 people. Of which, 23 households with 101 people were directly affected. Currently, all 23 affected households have been evacuated to a safe place. Of which, Bac Khe village has 7 households with 25 people; Hop Luc has 10 households with 40 people; Na Soong has 6 households with 36 people.

Tan Tien Commune Police officers went to each household to help move property to "escape the flood".

Tan Tien Commune Police transported people's property to higher places to avoid flooding.

Regarding the initial cause of the dam break, according to a quick report from the Civil Defense Command of Tan Tien commune, due to the influence of storm No. 11, Lang Son area has had heavy rain since yesterday, October 6. Tan Tien commune, where Bac Khe 1 hydroelectric dam is located, and the surrounding area has had prolonged heavy rain, with peak water flow reaching 1,572m3/s, causing pressure on the dam body, leading to a section of the hydroelectric dam body breaking, and the central control room collapsing. The total damage from the dam break is initially estimated at about 50 billion VND.

To prevent the dam from breaking further when heavy rain and floods continue, the authorities are continuing to closely monitor the situation and continue to support people in the downstream communes near the Bac Khe 1 hydropower dam at high risk, including Trang Dinh, Quoc Khanh and Chien Thang, to evacuate and move their assets to a safe location.

Source: https://cand.com.vn/Xa-hoi/vo-dap-thuy-dien-bac-khe-1-o-lang-son-uoc-thiet-hai-khoang-50-ty-dong-i783855/