The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has just issued a telegram on opening the bottom spillway of Son La hydroelectric reservoir. The dispatch clearly stated that at 9:00 a.m. on August 11, 2025, the upstream water level of Son La Lake was at 201.31 m, the downstream water level was 117.11 m, the flow to the lake was 3,835 m3/s, the total downstream flow was 2,724 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:
Open 1 bottom spillway of Son La hydroelectric reservoir at 4:00 p.m. on August 11, 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.
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 recommends that People's Committees of provinces immediately notify authorities at all levels, people, 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 know about flood discharge in Son La 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.
