At around 1:30 p.m. on October 7, Bac Khe 1 hydropower plant, Tan Tien commune, Lang Son province with a capacity of 2.4 MW, Bac Khe river, area of 325 km2 basin, water flow 1,572 m3, broke the dam barrier wall about 4-5m long, depth 3-4m.
To proactively respond to heavy rain and floods, the Minister of Industry and Trade requested the Chairmen of the People's Committees of Dien Bien, Son La, Lang Son, Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai provinces and owners, units managing and operating dams and hydroelectric reservoirs to focus maximum resources on immediately implementing tasks.
Chairmen of the People's Committees of Dien Bien, Son La, Lang Son, Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai provinces closely monitor the developments of floods; promptly inform authorities and people at all levels to proactively prevent and avoid; proactively develop plans to ensure the safety of residents to be ready to deploy when the worst situations occur, not to be passive and surprised.
Focus on directing owners, management and operation units of hydropower works in the province to organize the operation and implementation of plans to ensure the safety of hydropower dams and reservoirs, especially in unusual situations and emergency situations in accordance with the unit-reservoir operation procedures and the inter-reservoir operation procedures approved by competent authorities. Arrange a permanent force to operate and regulate and be ready to handle possible situations.
Direct local radio and television stations to increase information on rainfall, floods, and reservoir discharge to people and authorities at all levels to proactively prevent; specialized agencies coordinate with local television stations, information and communication agencies, especially at propaganda and dissemination facilities, and instruct people to proactively respond to minimize damage.
Direct the Department of Industry and Trade to immediately establish inspection and supervision teams to monitor the operation of hydroelectric reservoirs in the province, especially small hydroelectric reservoirs (Nam Cat, Ta Lang, Khuoi Thuoc, Na Loa, Na Tau, Tien Thanh, Thoong Cot 2, Pac Cap, Thuong An) to promptly direct the work of ensuring the safety of dams, reservoirs and downstream areas.
Direct the Department of Industry and Trade of Lang Son province to urgently inspect the dam break at Bac Khe 1 Hydropower Plant; direct Bac Khe 1 Hydropower Plant and local authorities to immediately deploy an emergency response plan, ensuring absolute safety for people downstream.
For owners, units managing and operating hydropower works, organizing command and duty for natural disaster prevention and control 24/24 hours, regularly updating and promptly reporting to competent authorities on the operation of works, especially in unusual situations and emergency situations according to regulations.
Strictly comply with the single reservoir operation process and the inter-reservoir operation process approved by competent authorities.
Resolutely carry out the assigned tasks in Official Dispatch No. 7713/CD-BCT dated October 7, 2025 of the Minister of Industry and Trade on focusing on responding to heavy rain, landslides, and flash floods caused by the circulation of storm No. 11.
Strengthen information and warnings for people downstream about the situation of rain, floods and flood discharge regimes of hydropower works under their management.
Prepare response plans for unusual situations and emergency situations according to the four-on-site motto to promptly deploy in all natural disaster situations.
The Department of Industrial Safety and Environment immediately organized an inspection team to ensure the safety of dams and hydroelectric reservoirs in Lang Son and Cao Bang provinces.
Strengthen direction and supervision of the safe operation of dams and reservoirs of hydropower projects in the Northern region, especially hydropower plants in the provinces of Cao Bang, Lang Son, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, Son La, Lai Chau.
