Regulations on the dam and reservoir rescue in case of incidents in Vietnam

Regulations on the dam and reservoir rescue in case of incidents in Vietnam (Image from the internet)

Regulations on the dam and reservoir rescue in case of incidents in Vietnam

According to Article 28 of Decree 114/2018/ND-CP on the dam and reservoir safety management in Vietnam, the following regulations on the dam and reservoir rescue in case of incidents are specified:

- In the event of an incident that may cause insecurity to the dam and water reservoir, organizations and individuals exploiting the hydraulic dams and reservoirs, and owners of hydroelectric dams and reservoirs must immediately implement emergency rescue and incident remediation, simultaneously reporting to the People’s Committee, the Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue Committee at all levels, and the Central Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention to provide prompt assistance and implement the response plan.

- The People’s Committee, Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue Committee at all levels are responsible for:

+ Organizing the dam and reservoir rescue in the area, participating in the dam and reservoir rescue for other localities as per legal regulations;

+ Deciding on emergency measures and remediation according to the law on disaster prevention when floods and inundation due to dam incidents cause damage to the downstream region of the dam in the area. If the situation exceeds their capability and authority, they must promptly report to the higher Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue Committee or the Central Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention for support and handling.

- The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Industry and Trade are responsible for cooperating with the Provincial People’s Committee to implement measures to mobilize forces, materials, and means for dam and water reservoir rescue within their management scope.

- The Central Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention decides or reports and proposes to the Prime Minister of the Government of Vietnam to decide on mobilizing resources and measures for dam and water reservoir rescue, ensuring the safety of the dam and water reservoir and its downstream area in accordance with the law on disaster prevention.

- The National Committee for Incident, Disaster Response, and Search and Rescue directs and organizes the response to dam break incidents that exceed the local capability.

Regulations on the protected zone of dams and reservoirs in Vietnam

- The protected zone of dams and reservoirs includes the construction and adjacent areas.

- Within the protected zone of dams and reservoirs, activities must ensure they do not obstruct the operation and safety of the construction; there must be management roads and land surfaces for maintenance and handling when incidents occur.

- The adjacent area of the water reservoir includes the adjacent area of the dam and the adjacent area of the reservoir bed, which is specified as follows:

+ The adjacent area of the dam is calculated from the foot of the dam outward. For special grade dams, the minimum is 300 m; grade I dams, a minimum of 200 m; grade II dams, a minimum of 100 m; grade III dams, a minimum of 50 m; grade IV dams, a minimum of 20 m;

+ The adjacent area of the reservoir bed is calculated from the boundary with the same elevation as the top of the dam downward to the reservoir bed.

- Dams and water reservoirs when adjusting the scale, and purpose of use must adjust the adjacent area in compliance with Clause 3, Article 21 of Decree 114/2018/ND-CP; the agency approving the protection plan for dams and water reservoirs has the authority to approve adjustments to the protection scope of the construction.

(Article 21 of Decree 114/2018/ND-CP)

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