Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant |
The telegram was sent to the Ministers of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Industry and Trade; Chairpersons of the People’s Committees of Son La, Lai Chau, Hoa Binh, Dien Bien, Ha Giang, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Tuyen Quang, and Ninh Binh provinces; and the Chairman of the Board of Members of the Vietnam Electricity (EVN) Group.
According to the telegram, Storm No. 3 (internationally known as Yagi) was the strongest storm in the East Sea in the past 30 years, making landfall in the northern provinces with a very strong intensity. The storm’s circulation caused heavy rainfall in all provinces from Thanh Hoa northwards, with a total rainfall of 200-400mm, and 400-600mm in mountainous regions, exceeding 700mm in some places. Many hydropower reservoirs in the midland and northern mountainous regions had to urgently release water to ensure the safety of hydropower structures. Currently, the water level in the lower courses of the Hong (Red) and Thai Binh rivers is high, exceeding the third alert level in some places. Some rivers are close to or have exceeded historical levels, threatening the safety of the dyke system and causing flooding in many residential areas, schools, healthcare facilities, and other essential infrastructure.
In Ninh Binh province, the flood in the Hoang Long River coincides with the floods in the Hong and Day Rivers, posing a threat to the safety of the dyke system and the lives and production activities of local people.
According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the weather in the northern region is expected to improve in the coming days, with sunny days and scattered showers and thunderstorms in the late afternoons and evenings. Temperatures are expected to gradually increase, ranging from 31-34 degrees Celsius.
Ensuring Absolute Safety of Hydropower Plants
To minimize the impact of rain, floods, and inundation on the lives and production of people in downstream areas and ensure the absolute safety of hydropower plants, the Prime Minister requested:
1. The Ministers of Industry and Trade and Agriculture and Rural Development, in coordination with the Chairpersons of the People’s Committees of the above-mentioned provinces, shall direct the owners and managers of hydropower plants:
a) To conduct hydrological observations and continuously monitor and closely follow the rain and flood situation in the basin; focus on proactive, scientific, and flexible operation and regulation of reservoirs (especially the system of hydropower plants on the Da River, including Lai Chau, Son La, and Hoa Binh hydropower plants) to cut, reduce, and slow down the flood downstream (including the flood on the Hoang Long River in Ninh Binh province), while ensuring safety for the plants and strictly complying with the inter-reservoir operation process;
b) During the operation process, strictly adhere to the reporting and timely information regime to the local authorities, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade for timely direction in emergency cases;
c) In close coordination with the local authorities in the downstream areas and relevant agencies, strictly implement the notification and warning to downstream residents about the flood situation and reservoir operation for proactive prevention and ensure safety.
2. Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha shall directly direct the ministries, sectors, and concerned localities to seriously implement this telegram.
3. The Government Office shall, in accordance with its functions and tasks, monitor and urge the implementation of this telegram and promptly report to the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister on urgent matters and unexpected issues.
5 Strategies to Revive Business Operations Post-Natural Disasters
Preliminary statistics from the State Bank’s Quang Ninh and Hai Phong branches reveal a significant impact on outstanding debt in the aftermath of Storm No. 3, particularly in the fields of production, business, trade, industry, and construction.
“Donate Now to Support Communities Affected by Storms and Floods”
The Audit Office Labor Union successfully raised over one billion VND from sponsors, donors, and supporters, including generous contributions from its own officers, civil servants, employees, and workers.
The Rising Tide: Battling the Floods in Ninh Binh and Thanh Hoa
On September 12th, water levels in the Hoàng Long and Đáy rivers (Ninh Bình province) and the Bưởi, Cầu Chày, and Yên rivers (Thanh Hóa province) were rising. In response, authorities promptly initiated patrol and guard duties for the dikes, enacting appropriate alert levels.
The State of Bus Routes to Northern Mountainous Areas
The Vietnam Road Administration has advised provincial Departments of Transport in the northern region to proactively devise plans to suspend road transport operations amidst adverse weather conditions due to ongoing torrential rains and floods. In response, several passenger bus routes from Hanoi to northern provinces have been temporarily halted or reduced in frequency.
