As of 4:00 p.m. on October 14, 2025, according to an update from Vietnam Electricity Group, Hoa Binh Lake recorded upstream water levels at elevation of 116.59 m; water flow to the lake reached 3,553 m3/s; total discharge was 4,115 m3/s.
Implementing the inter-reservoir operation process in the Red River basin, Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant opened a bottom spillway at 3:00 p.m. the same day to stabilize the downstream flow.
Mr. Pham Van Vuong - Director of Hoa Binh Hydropower Company - affirmed that the closure and opening of the discharge gate is flexibly adjusted, based on actual hydrological developments, inflows and instructions from the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control.
All data on water level and flow are continuously updated, reported to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (through the Department of Dyke Management and Natural Disaster Prevention) and relevant agencies according to regulations.
To respond to the risk of floods and sudden increases in water flow, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has requested the People's Committees of Phu Tho, Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Hai Phong, Hung Yen, Ninh Binh provinces to promptly notify authorities at all levels, people living along the river, aquaculture facilities, ferry terminals/ Along and waterway vehicles.
At the same time, construction works along the river, coastal sand and gravel mining areas must be reviewed to ensure the safety of people and property when flood discharge occurs.
At Tuyen Quang Lake, by 4:00 p.m. the same day, the upstream water level reached 117.01 m; the water flow to the lake reached 1,003 m3/s, the total discharge was 1,213.35 m3/s. Currently, Tuyen Quang Hydropower Plant maintains one bottom spillway.
Previously, from October 1 to 4:00 p.m. on October 12, Tuyen Quang Hydropower Company closed 9 spillways.
In contrast, as of 4:00 p.m. on October 14, Son La Lake had an upstream water level of 215.13 m; the water flow to the lake was only 942 m3/s but the total discharge was up to 2,609 m3/s. Currently, the unit has closed all bottom spillways, only continuing to generate electricity through the generator.
A similar situation occurred in Lai Chau Lake, where the upstream water level reached 294.5m; the water flow to the lake reached 1,334m3/s; the total discharge was 1,642m3/s. Currently, Lai Chau Hydropower Plant has also closed all bottom spillways, only operating power generation.
In the context of prolonged heavy rain, the flexible operation of hydroelectric reservoirs, ensuring safety downstream is considered a key factor in natural disaster prevention in the North.
According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, from October 14 to 15, the Northern Delta and the provinces from Thanh Hoa to Ha Tinh will have moderate rain, generally 30 - 70 mm, some places will have heavy rain exceeding 130 mm.
The midland and mountainous areas of the Northeast will experience scattered showers and thunderstorms, with a common amount of 20 - 40 mm, locally over 80 mm.
Hanoi during the same period will have rain, moderate rain and thunderstorms, rainfall of 30 - 60 mm, some places with heavy rain over 90 mm. During thunderstorms, there is a risk of tornadoes, lightning, and strong gusts of wind.
In addition, rain in the North is forecast to last until October 15.
