Reader Bui Van Son (34 years old, residing in Hoa Binh city) asked: Why is it that the northern region is experiencing heavy rain, but Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant closed one floodgate at noon on September 10?
Regarding this issue, Mr. Pham Van Vuong, Director of Hoa Binh Hydropower Company, said that the closure of the floodgates at noon on September 10 was carried out in accordance with the telegram of the National Steering Committee on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control and in accordance with the operating procedures of inter-reservoirs in the Red River basin.
According to Mr. Vuong, Hanoi is currently experiencing flooding. When Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant closes one bottom spillway gate, it will help to separate the floodwaters for the capital. After closing one bottom spillway gate, all activities of the Hydropower Plant will continue normally and safely.
According to Hoa Binh Hydropower Company, at 10:00 a.m. on September 10, the upstream water level of Hoa Binh Lake was at 111.45 m, the flow to the lake was 4,115 m3/s, and the flow discharged downstream was 5,587 m3/s.
Pursuant to Official Dispatch No. 6722 dated September 10 of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Hoa Binh Hydropower Company closed one bottom spillway gate at 12:00 on the same day. At the same time, it will continue to maintain one bottom spillway gate until further instructions are issued.
Also according to Hoa Binh Hydropower Company, the total water flow discharged downstream including through the spillway gate and the power generation flow through the generator when closing one gate is 3,900 m3/s.
On the same afternoon (September 10), Lao Dong Newspaper's reporter noted that Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant is currently opening a bottom spillway gate.
According to residents in Huu Nghi ward (Hoa Binh city), although the hydroelectric plant only opened one gate today, the water level downstream is still higher than previous flood releases.
Previously, on September 4, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development ordered the Director of Hoa Binh Hydropower Company to open one bottom spillway gate of Hoa Binh Hydropower Reservoir. Then, the second bottom spillway gate was opened at 2:00 p.m. on September 8.
