Environment ministry calls for reassessment of Red River Basin flood safety measures

The Thác Bà hydropower reservoir in Yên Bái Province. — VNA/VNS Photo

The current reservoir operation protocol aims to mitigate downstream flooding, ensure an adequate water supply for production and support national energy security. The protocol was originally established by the Prime Minister in 2007 under Decision 80 and updated in 2019 by Decision 740.

However, with climate change driving increasingly unpredictable and severe weather, the ministry has raised concerns that existing guidelines may be inadequate.

Recent historic flooding triggered by Typhoon Yagi, which led to unprecedented high water levels in both upstream and downstream tributaries, has underscored the need for prompt updates to disaster response plans, dam safety procedures and emergency response protocols within the basin.

The ministry has urged other government bodies to propose specific amendments and additions to Decision 740, especially targeting critical operational issues.

The proposed updates should address seasonal management of flood and drought conditions, finer segmentation of flood season operations and robust responses for emergency situations to better safeguard infrastructure and downstream communities.

Revised flood storage capacities are also recommended to effectively manage early, peak and late flood periods.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has been appointed to lead the development of disaster response plans tailored to various levels of natural disaster risk.

This includes reviewing scenarios for reservoir management under emergency conditions, such as dam breaches, and incorporating data on extreme and unpredictable weather.

Additionally, MARD will reassess flood mapping for critical downstream areas, including major reservoirs, to support emergency response planning under Government Decree No. 114/2018.

MARD is also exploring the feasibility of leveraging part of the flood storage above normal water levels in key reservoirs to enhance flood reduction during emergencies.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade, meanwhile, will oversee inspections of hydropower dams and reservoirs in the basin, instructing Vietnam Electricity (EVN) and other operators to update data on historical rainfall and flood extremes to refine operational strategies.

Reservoir managers throughout the basin are also being called upon to reassess their disaster and emergency response plans, integrating the latest meteorological and hydrological data.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has urgently requested a recalculation of flood safety parameters for the Thác Bà reservoir following record flooding from Typhoon Yagi.

This reassessment aims to confirm structural safety and evaluate additional flood discharge infrastructure to better protect downstream residents and property.