The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has just issued a telegram on opening the bottom spillway of Hoa Binh hydroelectric reservoir. The dispatch clearly stated that at 7:00 a.m. on October 20, 2025, the upstream water level of Hoa Binh Lake was at 116.84 m, the downstream water level was 8.69 m, the flow to the lake was 3,244 m3/s, the total downstream flow was 964 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 Hoa Binh Hydropower Company:
Open 1 bottom spillway of Hoa Binh Hydropower Reservoir at 11:00 on October 20, 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 (through the Department of Dyke Management and Natural Disaster Prevention and Control) and relevant agencies according to regulations.
To ensure safety downstream when operating Hoa Binh hydroelectric reservoir, in an official dispatch sent to the People's Committees of the provinces and cities: Phu Tho, Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Hai Phong, Hung Yen, Ninh Binh, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment requested the People's Committees of the provinces and cities:
Immediately notify authorities at all levels, people, and organizations operating on rivers and along rivers; aquaculture facilities, water transport vehicles; ferry terminals, and vertical boats; review and ensure the safety of works under construction; sand and gravel mining activities to collect and transit information on flood discharge from Hoa Binh hydroelectric reservoir to proactively take preventive measures to ensure safety of people and property.
Timely report and propose solutions to handle unusual situations that may occur during the flood discharge process to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (through the Department of Dyke Management and Natural Disaster Prevention and Control).
