Late compensation for damage caused by hydropower discharge

Severe damage

In the 2020 rainy season, storm No. 9 caused heavy rain in Quang Nam province. On October 28 afternoon, when people were fighting storms, Dak Mi 4 hydropower plant discharged with a flow rate of 7,000 m3/s. The downstream districts of Nam Giang, Dai Loc, Duy Xuyen were all submerged.

865 households in 9 villages of Ca Dy commune and Thanh My town, Nam Giang district, were the worst affected areas. Total damage was over VND 47 billion.

Mr. Zo Ram Nat, a militiaman in Ben Giang village, Ca Dy commune, said that on October 28, when he had just helped people go to the high grounds to avoid storms, the flood had come. Just in about one hour, the whole area was submerged. No one had time to pack up their house.

“People stood on high, watching houses and fields being destroyed with tears in their eyes. We have never seen such a large flood. If they don't evacuate because of the storm, the old people could not survive”, said Mr. Zo Ram Nat.

Two brothers, Alang Doi and Alang Duong, were of the most severely damaged households. Their houses were swept away by water. They lost everything after the flood. No property and no identification papers left.

For the past half-year, Alang Doi and his family stayed at a relative's house. This place, several tens of square meters wide, was home to 10 people.

“My house had been here since 1995. This was the heaviest damage, with about VND 300 million. My brother, Alang Duong, also lost VND 500 million. But never seen Dak Mi 4 hydropower plant compensate for anyone”, Alang Doi said.

These cases were not unique in Quang Nam province. In the rainy season, people always have property damage. However, the hydropower company avoids its responsibility.

Lack of responsibility to the people

Mr. Doan Bing, Chairman of Ca Dy Commune People's Committee, said that the commune had more than 400 households damaged by the discharge of Dak Mi 4 hydropower plant on October 28. More than 100 hectares of agricultural land were swept away.

“We have calculated the damage, but the hydropower company has not yet supported it. Because of waiting for receiving the compensation, people could not clean their houses after the flood. Reproduction has stalled”, Mr. Doan Bing said.

The People's Committee of Nam Giang district sent a report to the People's Committee of Quang Nam province and asked the hydropower company to solve the consequences, with a damage amount of about VND 16.1 billion.

This amount includes VND 2.6 billion to support agricultural production as per Decree 02 of the Government, VND 6.7 billion to damaged civil works, and VND 6.8 billion to people's property.

Mr. Vu Duc Khanh, General Director of Dak Mi Hydropower Joint Stock Company, said that people's damage was caused by storm No. 9, not by hydropower discharge.

“The largest inflow of water on October 28 afternoon was 13,398 m3/s, but the largest discharge in Dak Mi 4 downstream is 7,000 m3/s. Dak Mi contributed to flooding control and discharge as per regulations", Mr. Khanh argued.

According to Mr. Khanh, the Board of Directors does not have the authority to pay the amount requested by the People's Committee of Nam Giang district. "If they want to compensate, the government and people have to wait for the shareholders' meeting", he said.

Mr. A Viet Son, Chairman of the People's Committee of Nam Giang district, acknowledged the people’s frustration. "For more than half a year, the company has not compensated. If compensation is not resolved, insecurity might occur”, he emphasized.