The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has just issued an official dispatch on closing the bottom discharge gate of Hoa Binh hydropower reservoir. The official dispatch clearly stated: At 07:00 on August 22, 2026, the upstream water level of Hoa Binh reservoir was at an elevation of 102.36m, the downstream water level was 13.31m, inflow to the reservoir was 2,597 m3/s, and the total inflow to the downstream was 4,391 m3/s.
Implementing the Inter-reservoir Operation Procedure on the Red River Basin in Decision No. 740/QD-TTg dated June 17, 2019 of the Prime Minister, Decision No. 922/QD-TTg dated May 14, 2025 of the Prime Minister amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Inter-reservoir Operation Procedure on the Red River Basin, the Minister of Agriculture and Environment orders the Director of Hoa Binh Hydropower Company:
Close 1 bottom discharge gate of Hoa Binh hydropower reservoir at 4:00 PM on August 22, 2026. Organize close monitoring of rain and flood developments, project safety, inflow to the reservoir, water level upstream and downstream of the reservoir to promptly report to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (through the Department of Dyke Management and Disaster Prevention) and relevant agencies according to regulations.
On the same day, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment also sent an official dispatch to the People's Committees of provinces and cities: Phu Tho, Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Hai Phong, Hung Yen, Ninh Binh on ensuring downstream safety when operating Hoa Binh hydropower reservoir.
Accordingly, to ensure safety for works and activities downstream of reservoirs, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment requests the People's Committees of provinces and cities to notify all levels of government, people, businesses, and organizations operating on rivers and riversides to know information to proactively take safety measures and adjust operations accordingly. Report promptly any unusual situations to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (through the Department of Dyke Management and Disaster Prevention and Control).
