The increase in spillway discharge to regulate the Song Quao lake in early December 2025 was identified as one of the factors causing flooding, damage to property and crops of people in the downstream area.
According to the latest statistics, the flood from December 3 to 4 caused flooding of more than 7,100 houses, killing one person and causing an estimated loss of more than 230 billion VND in Lam Dong.
Flooding occurred in communes located in the downstream of Cai River (also known as Quao River) such as Ham Thuan, Ham Thuan Bac, Ham Liem, Hong Son communes and Ham Thang ward. Floodwaters poured in quickly with strong currents.
In particular, Ham Thang ward is located near the Phu Hai estuary, heavily flooded and affected by tides, so the water recedes slowly. Many households have just overcome the flooding in early November and continue to face the second flooding in just 1 month.
Currently, Binh Thuan Irrigation Works Exploitation Company Limited (the company) is the unit that operates 49 irrigation lakes in the old Binh Thuan area, including Song Quao lake.
On the afternoon of December 9, speaking with reporters, a company leader said that the lake has now balanced its capacity and ensured flood prevention.
Regarding the operation process of regulating water through the reservoir, the leader of this company affirmed that the water from Song Quao lake has been continuously regulated since the beginning of September according to the operating process.
However, many people questioned: Why did the operator not release the regulation early with low flow during sunny days to create flood capacity, instead of waiting until heavy rain and then having to increase the discharge suddenly, leaving people in the downstream area unable to react?
Explaining this issue, the company representative said that in the old Binh Thuan area, the years before December were usually the dry month. For many years since October, there has been no rain, forcing the lakes to store water for daily life and irrigation.
"This year the weather is extreme, until December there is still rain, different from previous years. The reservoir regulation operation process must still be applied as before. To increase flood prevention capacity, it is necessary to calculate and adjust the process to suit climate change" - this person shared.
With the same question, a leader of the Song Quao River referral and canal management station - the unit directly operating - said that the discharge or storage of water must strictly follow the process, not arbitrary.
Song Quao Lake and the 812 - Chau Ta Water Supply Canal are irrigation works to supply water to the entire Phan Thiet area. If discharged without prolonged rain, it will cause a shortage of domestic and domestic water for production.
"The irrigation task is to preserve water for people during the dry season and regulate during storms. This year the weather is extreme, with erratic rain, he said.
Previously, in early November, downstream communes were also flooded due to increased overflow water of Song Quao Lake. The repeated flooding in a short time has made many households upset and hoped that the operator would have a regulatory solution more suitable to the current weather reality.
Recently, leaders of Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee have repeatedly inspected reservoirs and regulatory plans, especially before the storm made landfall.
As on November 6, Vice Chairman of Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Minh inspected Song Quao Lake and emphasized that the operator must closely coordinate with local authorities before releasing floodwaters, continuously update information and must put the safety of people's lives first, minimizing damage to people's property.
