A 10-meter breach in the Bac Khe 1 hydropower dam in Lạng Sơn province, Vietnam, on October 7 has raised urgent flood concerns for nearby villages.
- The Bac Khe 1 hydropower dam in Lạng Sơn province burst at approximately 2 p.m. on October 7, releasing massive volumes of water and threatening local communities.
- The dam breach originated from a small crack near the spillway, which rapidly expanded, endangering the safety of nearby villages and prompting local government intervention.
- This incident follows the devastating impacts of Typhoon Matmo in 2014, underscoring ongoing vulnerabilities in Vietnam's hydropower infrastructure and flood management systems.
Why It Matters
The dam breach highlights significant risks associated with Vietnam's reliance on hydropower for electricity, particularly in the context of extreme weather events. As climate change intensifies, the resilience of critical infrastructure like dams becomes increasingly essential for protecting communities.