By Dam Quang | dtinews.vn
The water discharge of the Hoa Binh hydroelectric dam on July 19 was responsible for the mass fish deaths raised in cages by household in the northern province of Hoa Binh and Phu Tho, causing losses of nearly VND10 billion (USD454,540).
Hundreds of tonnes of fish found death following the water discharge
Experts said that the water discharge had resulted in a sharp rise in the amount of mud in the river so the fish suffered from oxygen shortages.
Nguyen Van Mau, Chairman of Hop Thanh Commune in Hoa Binh Province's Ky Son, said that local farmers had seen 50 tonnes of their fish die, with many still continuing to die in the aftermath.
According to Mau, two days before the water discharge, local authorities informed the households of preventive measures to protect their fish.
Regarding compensation, he said that Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant had discharged water following the instruction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s the Central Steering Committee on Natural Disaster Prevention.
Mau, however, highlighted that local authorities are seeking Ky Son District’s financial support for the affected households. He also hoped that Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant could also work to partially assist although they were not responsible for the compensation.
Dang Tran Con, chief office manager of Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant, said that the water discharge was totally legal and decided by Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong.