The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has just issued a telegram on closing the bottom spillway of Hoa Son La hydroelectric reservoir. The dispatch clearly stated that at 9:00 a.m. on August 16, 2025, the upstream water level of Son La Lake was at 199.03 m, the downstream water level was 119.43 m, the flow to the lake was 2,701 m3/s, the total downstream flow was 4,923 m3/s.
Implementing the Inter-reservoir operation process in 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 process in the Red River basin, the Minister of Agriculture and Environment ordered the Director of Son La Hydropower Company:
Closing 1 bottom spillway of Son La hydroelectric reservoir at 20:00 on August 16, 2025. Closely monitor the developments of floods, construction safety, flow to the reservoir, water levels upstream and downstream of the reservoir and promptly report to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment 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 the provinces: Son La, Phu Tho on ensuring safety downstream when operating Son La hydroelectric reservoir.
To ensure the safety of works and activities along the river, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment requests the People's Committees of the provinces to notify authorities at all levels, people, and organizations operating on the river and along the river to know information to proactively take measures to ensure safety and adjust activities accordingly. Timely report any unusual situations to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (through the Department of Dyke Management and Natural Disaster Prevention and Control).
