According to the Office of the Cao Bang Provincial Civil Defense Command, as of 6:00 a.m. on October 7, hydropower plants in the area were releasing water to regulate water to ensure safety for the project and downstream areas.
At Song Bang - Bach Dang Hydropower Plant, at 6:00 a.m., the water flow to the lake was recorded at 165 m3/s, releasing 82 m3/s. Previously, at 7:30 a.m. on October 6, the factory issued a flood discharge notice with a flow rate of 165 m3/s.
Binh Long Hydropower Plant also started releasing floodwaters from 6:30 am the same day, with a flow of 450 m3/s, while the amount of water to the lake at 4:00 am reached 300 m3/s.
For the hydropower cluster on the Gam River, from October 5 to 8, the plants have proactively operated to regulate. Some major discharge points were recorded, including:
Mong An Hydropower Plant: water flow up to 1,735 m3/s, expected to release 1,900 m3/s at 9:00 a.m. on October 7.
Bao Lam 1 Hydropower Plant: expected to release 1,258 m3/s at 9:00 a.m. on October 7.
Bao Lac B Hydropower Plant: discharged 610 m3/s at 7:00 a.m. the same day.
Bao Lam 3A Hydropower Plant: discharge flow 538.1 m3/s.
Regarding the irrigation lake system, there are currently 17/19 reservoirs that are full and are being discharged through overflow or sewers. Ban Nua and Thom Cai lakes have proactively lowered the water level to ensure the safety of the project and the downstream area.
The authorities said that floods in the area are still complicated due to the influence of the convergence zone and storm circulation. The simultaneous release of floodwaters from many reservoirs and hydropower plants while heavy rain continues can increase the risk of local flooding, flash floods and landslides in low-lying areas, along rivers and streams.
People are advised to closely monitor flood discharge notices, move out of dangerous areas when required, and absolutely do not go through spillways, culverts or places with fast-flowing water to ensure safety of life.
On the same morning, the People's Committee of Cao Bang province issued an emergency notice. Accordingly, the water level on the Bang and Hien rivers rose rapidly due to heavy rain, posing a serious risk of flooding in low-lying areas, especially for households living along both sides of the river.
The province recommends that people urgently evacuate people and property to a safe place immediately, do not be subjective, do not stay in areas at risk of deep flooding or landslides.
People need to strictly follow the instructions of local authorities and functional forces during the relocation process, ensuring absolute safety for themselves and their families.
The authorities warned that any delay in leaving the dangerous area could lead to serious damage to people and property.
"This is an emergency situation, we request that all people raise their vigilance, proactively prevent, and closely coordinate with functional forces in responding to floods to protect the safety of life and property" - Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee announced.
Hoa Binh and Son La hydropower plants simultaneously release floodwaters
The two large hydroelectric reservoirs on the Da River, Hoa Binh and Son La, are regulating water discharge according to the inter-reservoir process, in order to proactively reduce floods and ensure safety downstream.
As of 8:00 a.m. on October 7, Hoa Binh Hydropower Reservoir recorded water levels at elevation of 113.92m, water flow to the reservoir reached 6,520m3/s, total discharge of 5,958m3/s.
Implementing the inter-reservoir operation process in the Red River basin, Hoa Binh Hydropower Company is opening 2 bottom spillways under the direction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to prevent floods, while closely monitoring the flow process to ensure absolute safety for downstream areas.
According to Mr. Pham Van Vuong - Director of Hoa Binh Hydropower Company, the regulation of flood discharge will depend on hydrological developments, the amount of water flowing into the lake and the direct direction of the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control.
The upstream - downstream water level and flow parameters to the reservoir are continuously updated, reported to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment through the Department of Dyke Management and Natural Disaster Prevention, and related agencies.
Meanwhile, at Son La Hydropower Reservoir, based on the hydrological forecast bulletin No. 061025HV/DBQG-TVBB dated October 6 of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the average flow to the reservoir in the next 5 days is forecast to be about 3,260m3/s.
At 8:00 a.m. on October 7, the lake's water level was at 214.51 m and was showing a downward trend; the water flow to the lake reached 3,258 m3/s, the total discharge was 4,400 m3/s.
To support the regulation of Hoa Binh Hydropower Reservoir and reduce water levels in Hanoi, Son La Hydropower Company has closed the bottom spillway since 9:00 a.m. on October 7.
The representative of the unit said that the operation work was carried out in accordance with the procedures, and at the same time coordinated with the Civil Defense Commands of Son La and Phu Tho provinces to notify and guide people in the downstream and reservoir areas to proactively respond, ensuring safety for people and property.
