Ho Ho hydropower dam in the central province of Quang Binh is being threatened by locals using explosives to catch fish.
For many months, local residents have used explosive charges to catch fish, which may risk the breaching the dam.
Standing at the dam on July 17, DTiNews reporters witnessed the use of explosives at the foot of the dam. After the explosion, a dozen of young men prepared to jump into the river to catch fish.
A worker at Ho Ho Hydropower Plant said that locals had used explosives to fish during the last 3-4 months. On numerous times, explosions had forced workers to run outside for safety.
Power plant officials have lodged a petition to Huong Hoa Commune asking for their co-operation to deal with the problem. However, so far no action has been taken.
Major floods in October 2010 left Ho Ho dam seriously damaged, causing major losses for the power plant.
The use of explosives to catch fish happens in a number of localities in Vietnam, including Quang Ngai and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces. In December 2010, four fishermen in Ly Son District, Quang Ngai Province, were injured in an explosion.