Scarce supply
Records in the Da River area in the last days of March show that the water level has dropped deeply, many sections are exposed to sand dunes and long alluvial grounds. This situation makes it difficult for boats to circulate, directly affecting sand transportation activities.
Mr. Bui Van Minh - owner of the sand transport ship - said that the water drop lasted for nearly a month, and the ship had to stop operating. Transportation can only resume when the hydropower plant increases water discharge.
According to ship owners, the source of sand supplied to the area is mainly exploited in Thanh Thuy, Phu Tho, then transported back up the Da River to gathering yards. However, when the water level drops low, the transport route is almost interrupted.
Many units still maintain sales but mainly rely on inventory. No additional sources, inventory decreases rapidly every day.
At many other sand yards in the area, the volume of goods has also decreased significantly. Some yards in Tan Hoa ward have decreased rapidly compared to before, due to lack of additional sources. If the situation of ships "lieing ashore" for a long time, the risk of shortage is clear.
Currently, the price of construction sand fluctuates commonly from 220,000 - 260,000 VND/m3, depending on the type and location. Compared to before, the price level has slightly increased.
From a business perspective, a representative of Tay Bac Transport Company said that sand prices depend heavily on the source of goods and flow conditions. When the water level is low, transportation is difficult, supply decreases, and prices increase. When the water level rises and transportation is favorable, prices will cool down.
According to updates from Vietnam Electricity Group, at 10:00 AM on March 27, the water level of Hoa Binh Hydropower Lake was at an elevation of 116m, about 1m lower than the normal water level (117m).
The water flow to the lake reached 992m3/s, while the total discharge through power generation was at 415m3/s.Currently, the lake does not open deep discharge gates and surface discharge.
According to Inland Waterway Maintenance Management Joint Stock Company No. 9, the downstream water level currently fluctuates from 4.5 - 4.8m, lower than favorable conditions for transportation.
Many market stabilization solutions
Faced with fluctuations in supply and prices, recently, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh signed a telegram requesting to strengthen management and stabilize construction material prices.
The Prime Minister requested localities to strictly inspect and supervise the compliance with the law on prices. Speculation, hoarding goods, inflating prices, and market manipulation must be strictly handled.
Localities need to review the demand for construction materials, prioritize supply sources for key national projects and urgent civil works. At the same time, accelerate licensing and increase the exploitation capacity of conventional construction material mines.
For materials with abnormal fluctuations, management agencies must announce prices and construction price indexes monthly or sooner when necessary. The announcement must be timely and close to the market to serve the preparation and adjustment of estimates.
Ministries, branches, localities and businesses are required to closely monitor fluctuations in fuel and construction material prices.
