Mr. Tran Quang Hoai - Deputy Head of Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control
Reporter: How do you appreciate the efforts of the power industry in operating hydropower reservoirs recently contributing to alleviating/controlling/slowing down floods in downstream areas as well as in restoring power supply to the people?
Mr. Tran Quang Hoai: In recent years, we have highly appreciated the operation of reservoirs by EVN after having proactively advised central and local authorities at all levels to operate the reservoirs effectively, ensuring alleviating/controlling/slowing down floods in downstream areas, of which some hydropower reservoirs in the Central region have mitigated floods and significantly reduced the amount of water discharged downstream, mitigating the likeliness of flooding in downstream areas.
In addition to proper operation and smooth coordination with local authorities in flood control and regulation, EVN's reservoir owners have cooperated with local authorities and people in information and communication activities, mounting warning signs, transmitting database to local disaster prevention and control centers and especially to the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control so that the authorities at all levels could work out timely safe and effective operation plans.
Currently, flood water has been coming down in provinces, the Central Steering Committee has required EVN to coordinate with local authorities and people to recover power supply to local people to restore their production activities and stabilize their lives as soon as the flood is relieved.
Reporter: To cope with typhoon No. 8 and the coming typhoon No. 9 which was likely to affect our country, what directions had the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control given to EVN and EVN's reservoirs?
Mr. Tran Quang Hoai: As for typhoon No. 8 expected to land in our country on 25 October, 2020 and the likelihood of being ready to monitor and respond to typhoon No. 9 (expected at the end of October 2020), reservoirs in general and EVN's reservoirs in particular need to be operated in accordance with the procedures promulgated by the competent authorities and regulating flood discharge operations shall be promptly informed to the authorities and people in the downstream areas. The safety of dams and reservoirs must be verified, especially at critical positions, structures under construction or areas prone to landslides. Reservoirs must be regulated in a proactive manner, particularly those full of water to ensure safety of works, at the same time reserving flood prevention storage to be ready to cope with floods caused by typhoons No. 8 and No. 9 in the next time.
EVN and its member units should reinforce the power grid which has been affected by impacts of typhoons and rains in the past time to restore power supply in the earliest manner to serve local authorities in directing and administering the overcoming of natural disasters as well as production and daily life of the people.
Reporter: Thank you!