VietNamNet Bridge - "In the upcoming National Assembly (NA) session, the Government will continue to report on the earthquakes and dam safety of the Song Tranh 2 Hydropower Plant. The NA will consider to continue using this work or not," said Deputy National Assembly Chairman Huynh Ngoc Son.

Earthquakes occurring from August 2012 affected nearly 1,780 houses and 37 public buildings in Bac Tra My district, with total estimated losses of over VND5 billion ($250,000).

On January 8, Mr. Son led an NA mission to inspect the Song Tranh 2 Hydropower Plant and to visit and present New Year gifts for people in Bac Tra My district, Quang Nam province, the earthquake-affected area.

According to statistics of the People's Committee of Bac Tra My district and the neighboring localities, from August 2012 to date, more than 100 earthquakes occurred around the Song Tranh 2 Hydropower Plant. Many strong earthquakes vibrated not only Quang Nam but also the neighboring provinces such as Da Nang and Quang Ngai.

In Bac Tra My district, earthquakes affected nearly 1,780 houses and 37 public works, with total estimated losses of over VND5 billion ($250,000). The Electricity Group of Vietnam (EVN) has compensated Bac Tra My’s people in two phases, with a total budget of more than VND5 billion to deal with the consequences caused by the earthquakes.

Vice President of the National Assembly Huynh Ngoc Son emphasized: "The Party, the National Assembly and the Government are always concerned and worried about the earthquake situation in the area around the Song Tranh 2 Hydropower Plant".

Until now, experts only made preliminary conclusions about the quality of the dam, not accurate forecast about the quake situation in the near future.

The government is mobilizing scientists and the most modern facilities in the country to continue the study of earthquakes in this area to make forecasts and appropriate solutions. In the National Assembly session in last November, the Government answered some questions about the Song Tranh 2 Hydropower Plant.

The Song Tranh 2 dam after being fixed last September.

"In the next National Assembly session in May 2013, the Government will continue to report on the earthquake and dam safety in the Song Tranh 2 Hydropower Plant. Thereby, the National Assembly will consider and decide to continue using this work or not in order to ensure the absolute safety of lives and property of the people," Son said.

At the meeting, Mr. Dang Phong, Chairman of Bac Tra My district recommended that the Government should soon establish a council, hire foreign experts to make a comprehensive assessment of the safety of the Song Tranh 2 Hydropower Plant.

Phong also suggested that the central government allocates funding to support the purchase of necessary equipment, to organize evacuation rehearsal in case earthquakes break the dam, provides food and upgrade roads in the resettlement area around the Song Tranh 2 Hydropower Plant.

Compiled by Na Son