VietNamNet Bridge – Concerned about unusual earthquakes occurring at the Song Tranh 2 hydro-power plant, the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations has proposed the government to have response measures to ensure safety for people living in this area.

Prof. Vu Trong Hong, Chairman of the Vietnam Irrigation Association, told an online newspaper on September 18 that the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations had sent a written proposal to the Government about solutions to cope with earthquakes to ensure the safety of life and property for the people living in the region.

In this petition, experts asserted that the Song Tranh 2 dam does not meet standards on safety. Therefore, in the rainy season this year, when the reservoir stores water, strict procedures to ensure the safety of people in the downstream area must be implemented.

"Migration plan should be developed in case the dam is likely to be broken. A warning network for the people, drawing a map in the assumption that the dam is broken, marking safe zones for the people's evacuation in a bad situation are also necessary task," Prof. Hong proposed.

Experts said that reservoir induced earthquake is a new phenomenon in Vietnam and the country does not have any technical standard on this issue. The government should assign a ministry to set up standards to assess whether Song Tranh 2 dam to be safe or not. This dam is located on a platform in the area of the active fault zone. The induced earthquakes could be a sign of renewed activity of the fault zone.

Caption: Experts of the Institutes of Geophysics and Geology examined cracks caused by the earthquake at a school in Bac Tra My district.

In the last few days, many more quakes were recorded in Bac Tra My district, where the Song Tranh 2 hydropower plant is located.

In this situation, Prof. Cao Dinh Trieu of the Institute of Geophysics recommended that during the water storing process in Song Tranh 2 reservoir, relevant agencies should closely monitor the evolution of the earthquake. If small earthquakes occur continuously accompanied by rising lake levels, more powerful earthquakes may occur later. Then the dam must be reinforced.




On the afternoon of September 18, the Standing Scientific Council of the Institute of Science and Technology of Vietnam held an emergency meeting, to consult the survey team, experts from the Institute of Geophysics, Institute of Geology, etc. to make the conclusion of the quakes in Bac Tra My. This document will be sent to the Prime Minister for consideration before the government makes a decision on allowing the Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) to store water in the Song Tranh 2 reservoir.

The Quang Nam province authorities have implemented training courses on earthquake response for the people; made surveys of high places, developed evacuation rehearsals; and prepared for the worst-case – the Song Tranh 2 dam is broken.

Compiled by Le Ha