In early April 2025, the water level of the Lo River section through Tuyen Quang City dropped. Many locations with exposed bottom include sand dunes and rocks along the shore.
According to the Tuyen Quang Hydrometeorological and Hydrological Station, the water level of the Lo River in the city in recent days has only reached 11.25m. This is the lowest water level in history.
The low water level of the Lo River not only affects the ecological environment of aquatic species but also causes villagers to fish. In Tuyen Quang city, along the Lo river, there are dozens of households living. When the water level drops, the fishermen work hard to make a living, taking care of the fish cages.
Having been attached to fishing village all her life, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa (Minh Xuan ward, Tuyen Quang city) said that there are about 40 households living and drifting along the water of the Lo river. Some families have no land on the shore so they have to stay along the river, while the rest depend on fishing for a livelihood.
"The lives of the people here are already difficult, and when the water is low, it becomes even more difficult. The water level fluctuates, making it difficult for people to worry about their livelihoods. Fishing is also difficult when boats cannot move.
The most miserable are those with fish cages. We have to constantly watch the water to move the cages into the middle of the river. If the fish do not move in time, they will die, considered to be left empty-handed," Ms. Hoa confided.
According to Ms. Hoa, this is the last days of the dry season. The water level had never dropped like that. The dream of living on the shore of fishermen here has never given up.
Having been attached to the fishing village along the Lo River for more than half of his life, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Binh (Tuyen Quang City) knows better than anyone the hardship when the water level drops. These days, Mr. Binh and his family have to watch the water to move the cages.
"Living along the river, each season has its own hardship. During the rainy season, we have to face danger. When the flood season comes, it is difficult to worry about making a living. People here mainly rely on fish and shrimp to survive.
The family has 3 fish cages, and it is a big concern when the water is low. The shallow water affects the growth and development of fish. We must try every way to cope with each dry season. When the water level is too low, fish cages in deep river sections must be sent to the cages," said Mr. Binh.
According to Mr. Binh, in previous years, many cage fish families died due to shallow water. Up to now, fishermen in the fishing village are not very interested in cage farming. Every time the flood season comes, the daily life of fishing villages along the Lo River becomes more and more miserable.
According to hydrometeorological experts, due to the impact of the El Nino phenomenon, the less rainy weather will last longer than the average of many years, seriously affecting the water resources of the river and stream systems in the area.
Tuyen Quang Hydrometeorological and Hydrological Station recommends that organizations and individuals monitor weather forecasts and warnings of hot weather to proactively implement solutions in production and daily life, minimizing losses caused by water shortages.
The Lo River originates from Yunnan province (China), flowing into Vietnam in Thanh Thuy commune, Vi Xuyen district, Ha Giang province. The end point is at the intersection of Viet Tri River, Phu Tho Province and joins the Red River.
The Lo River section flowing in Vietnam is 274 km long, with a basin area of 22,600 km2. The section flowing through Tuyen Quang province is 145 km long.
