In mid-April 2025, Lao Dong Newspaper reporters were present in Hien Luong commune, Da Bac district - which is located in the Hoa Binh Hydropower Reservoir area.
According to records, the water level above the reservoir has dropped lower than when the hydropower plant released floodwaters (July, August, September 2024). The reservoir is revealed with long stretches of soil running along the mountainside, which can be observed with the naked eye.
Ms. Ngo Thi Xoan (60 years old, a resident of Doi hamlet, Hien Luong commune) shared: Currently, the water level of Hoa Binh Hydropower Reservoir is about 30 meters lower than at the time of flood discharge. Almost every year, at this time, the water recedes.
However, this does not affect fish farming as well as tourism activities in the lake area".
According to Ms. Xoan, from around May to July, when the peak of the dry season enters, the water level may continue to drop. At that time, the negative impact on people's livelihoods will be more obvious.
Mr. Bui Van Duong (55 years old, a resident of Doi hamlet, Hien Luong commune), said that the places where boats could travel before now have exposed the bottom, the sand beach is up to several dozen meters wide. Many people took the opportunity to pick up firewood and grow vegetables on newly discovered land.
I have lived here for more than 30 years, but have never seen the lake recede as deep as this year. Seeing this scene makes me very worried. This season, the water is like that, we don't know what will happen next," said Mr. Duong.
According to Mr. Duong, the situation of the water level of Hoa Binh hydroelectric lake is low not only in Hien Luong but also a common phenomenon in many other communes along the lake in Da Bac district. The reason is thought to be due to the lower annual rainfall for many years, combined with the regulation of water for electricity, daily life and agriculture in the downstream.
In addition, the water level of Hoa Binh Lake has dropped sharply, creating a beautiful natural landscape with alluvial plains and pristine terrain.
Mr. Bui Van Ky - Chairman of the People's Committee of Hien Luong commune, Da Bac district said: "The water level of the lake has now decreased by more than 20 meters compared to the time the hydropower plant released floodwaters. Although it has not seriously affected daily life, from around May to June, when the water continues to recede, the impacts on people's lives and production will begin to be more obvious".
According to Mr. Ky, when the lake water level drops, many boats cannot dock as before, so the travel and transportation of goods by the people is clearly affected. Some fish farms were also dry, causing exploitation output to decrease sharply.
Some images recorded by the reporter:
