Dam safety is a top priority
The safety of lakes and dams is of particular concern in Lam Dong after a series of serious incidents that have occurred recently. On the evening of November 1, the reservoir of the Viet Phong Phu Farm project broke, causing great property damage and the death of a 13-year-old girl.
Then, on the evening of November 7, Cay An irrigation lake appeared with local slides at the dam's shoulders, forming cracks and groundwater seeping through the dam's foot. Due to prolonged heavy rain, the lake's water level is approaching the overflow level, posing a potential safety risk to the downstream area. The local government has issued an emergency evacuation order for many households, ensuring the safety of their lives.
Since the end of October 2025, in response to the complicated developments of floods, the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Lam Dong has requested irrigation lake management units to monitor and operate works according to procedures, ensuring safety of works and downstream areas.
Proactively operating the lake before the rainy and stormy season
In the Southeast province, Binh Thuan Irrigation Works Exploitation Company Limited - the unit managing 159 works, including 49 reservoirs, 89 dams and 21 pumping stations - has increased duty, inspected and reviewed the safety of the works daily.
Mr. Ho Dac Nghia - Deputy General Director of the company - said: " periodic inspection is a regular task, especially before and during the rainy and stormy season. We continuously update hydrometeorological forecasts to provide appropriate operation plans, ensuring absolute safety for the project and people".
At the end of November 2025, the company proposed that the Provincial People's Committee allocate more than 99.5 billion VND to urgently repair 7 reservoirs that were deteriorating in the old Binh Thuan area. The list of priority lakes includes: Song Quao, Suoi Da, Ca Giang Ham Hiep, Gieng Co, Bo Bo, Nam Heo and Song Dinh Forest. These are urgent projects to ensure the safety of dams, serve water supply for agricultural production, daily life, industry and contribute to local economic development.
Director of Lam Dong Department of Agriculture and Environment, Mr. Phan Nguyen Hoang Tan said: "We will tighten the management of dams, prioritize investment in renovating and upgrading degraded works. The maintenance, operation and repair of dams will be regularly enhanced, closely coordinating with hydropower plants in forecasting and regulating flood discharge. Based on the rain forecast, we will request timely water discharge to ensure safety for downstream".
In the context of increasingly unpredictable extreme weather, proactive forecasting, warning and response is important for the safety of dams and people's lives, minimizing damage caused by natural disasters. Lam Dong is conducting a comprehensive review of the dam system, prioritizing the repair of degraded works, and strengthening strict monitoring of operations.
These solutions are considered a foundation to help Lam Dong minimize risks, ensure dam safety and proactively prevent natural disasters early and from afar. At the same time, the synchronous coordination between management units, local authorities and hydropower plants will contribute to ensuring stable water resources, serving agricultural production, daily life and sustainable economic development.
