The water levels on rivers in Da Nang and Quang Nam Province are rising as a result of heavy rainfall and increased water discharges from reservoirs of the Dak Mi 4 and Song Tranh 2 hydropower plants.

At 10:00 am on Thursday, November 18, Yen and Cam Le rivers burst their banks, leaving low-lying areas along the two rivers flooded.  The water level on the Yen River is expected to reach its peak on Thursday the evening.

Overflowing river caused flooding in a low-lying section of Thang Long street at the midday on November 18. Photo: HOANG HIEP

At 9pm on November 17, the water level in Dak Mi 4 hydropower plant’s reservoir saw significant increases, causing it to look nearly full and forcing it to discharge to the downstream area.

Reservoir of the Song Tranh 2 hydropower plant also began to discharge to the downstream area at 4:00 am on November 18 to ensure its safety as it reached nearly its full capacity.

At 1:00pm on Thursday, water level at the Ai Nghia Hydrological Station on the Vu Gia River reached 7.48m, 0.52m below alarm level 2 while flood waters on the Thu Bon River in Hoi An City reached 1.06m, 0.06m above alarm level 1.

The Quang Nam Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting says the water level at the Ai Nghia Hydrological Station on the Vu Gia River is expected to reach its peak at 8m, equivalent to alarm level 2 in the next few hours and floodwaters will slowly recede afterward. Flood waters on the Thu Bon River will reach alarm levels 1 and 2.

Flood warning is issued for low-lying areas, areas along rivers and streams, especially in Quang Nam Province’s Hoi An city. The impact of floods is unpredictable and complex, the warning areas must take proactive and necessary mitigation measures in response to heavy rain which could trigger flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas and flooding in low-lying and riverside areas.

A road linking Hoa Tien Commune, Hoa Vang District with Dien Tien Commune, Dien Ban Town , Quang Nam Province was flooded at the midday on November 18. Photo: HOANG HIEP

The Mid-Central Region Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting predicts that today, November 18, light to moderate rainfall along with scattered heavy rain is expected to continue lashing across the parts from Quang Tri to Quang Ngai, including Da Nang, with extremely heavy rain and thunderstorms likely in some places. Thunderstorms can produce tornadoes, lightning, hail and strong winds.

Between 30mm and 60mm of rain is forecast for Quang Tri, with some places expected to receive over 80mm. As much as 40mm -80mm of rain could fall in Thua Thien-Hue, and Quang Nam, and even more than 120mm in some places.

Da Nang could receive between 15mm and 30 mm rainfall, with up to more than 50 mm possible in some places. Quang Ngai could see between 30mm - 60mm of rain, even more than 100mm in some places.

Reporting by HOANG HIEP – translating by H.L