Quang Nam residents claim damages from electricity group

Four families in Quang Nam province will appeal to the Supreme People’s Court, demanding that the Electricity Group of Vietnam pay them damages for storing water in a local hydropower plant and causing floods. 

At an appeal hearing yesterday, the Quang Nam provincial People’s Court upheld the verdict announced by the Nam Tra My District People’s Court, which judged that EVN would have to pay no damages to the plaintiffs – Thai Viet Ha, Hoang Ngoc Trac, Ngo Tan Tien and Pham Duc Hoi.

The four men, who represent four families in the district, told the court that in September 2011 EVN stored water in the Song Tranh 2 Hydropower Plant's reservoir, and the water caused flooding in their houses and damaged their assets. 

However, Vu Duc Toan, an EVN representative, rejected the allegation, saying that the hydropower project management board had obtained a written agreement from the provincial authorities before storing the water.

The group also gave an advance notice to local resident about the water storage so that residents could take safety measures for themselves and their assets, Toan said.

When the inundation occurred, the group used two vessels and two cars to help locals in moving their assets to safe places, Toan added.

Therefore, EVN does not agree to pay any damages to these families, Toan concluded.
The court also said that the plaintiffs have not provided evidence to prove their assets had been damaged by the plant’s water storage.

However, the four households said they would send an appeal to the Supreme People’s Court.

The Song Tranh 2 Hydro Plant is located in Bac Tra My District, where a series of quakes have recently occurred, panicking local residents.