Major hydropower plant in northern Việt Nam remains safe

Thác Bà hydropower plant, completed in 1971, is the first hydropower plant in Việt Nam and its reservoir is one of the three biggest artificial lakes in Việt Nam, situated over two communes Lục Yên and Yên Bình, the northern mountainous province of Yên Bái.

Yên Bái Province has relocated 3,186 households, comprising 11,279 people, from 24 villages and hamlets in the communes of Vĩnh Kiên, Yên Bình, Hán Đà, Đại Minh, and Thác Bà town (Yên Bình District) to ensure the safety of residents as the Thác Bà Hydropower Plant discharges floodwaters.

At the time of the inspection, the weather condition had eased, and the hydropower reservoir's operation remained stable, with water inflow at over 3,100 cu.m per second.

Speaking with the leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and Yên Bái Province, and the Thác Bà Hydropower Plant, Deputy PM Long stressed the need to strictly follow the directives of the Prime Minister, particularly noting that in all situations, the highest priority must always be the health and safety of the people.

Agriculture deputy minister Nguyễn Hoàng Hiệp told the Việt Nam Government Portal (VGP) during the inspection that, as of now, the Thác Bà Hydropower Reservoir is secure.

"However, much work remains to be done, but with the current inflow and outflow, we can confirm that Thác Bà Hydropower Plant is safe," said Hiệp.

He added that it would take about 1-2 more days for the water level to return to the permitted level, and local residents must remain in safe shelters in case of any unforeseen events.

Deputy Prime Minister Lê Thành Long at Thác Bà Hydropower Plant on Wednesday morning. — Photo from Việt Nam Government Portal (VGP)

Hiệp also mentioned that with the current weather forecast, the situation at Thác Bà Hydropower will be resolved satisfactorily, and the water level will fall below the permitted threshold.

The forecast for rainfall in the area over the next 48 hours is approximately 40-50mm, with around 15-20mm expected within the next 24 hours. Currently, the authorities have prepared various response measures and are ready to minimise damage, with the protection of human life being the top priority.

According to the report from the Yên Bái Provincial People's Committee on the morning of September 11, in the aftermath of Yagi, Yên Bái Province experienced light rain from the evening of September 10 until the morning of September 11.

As of 6 a.m. on September 11, the water level on the Thao River in Yên Bái was 34.63m (2.63m above alarm level 3). On the Ngòi Thia River, the water level at 5am on September 11 was 42.01m (2.46m below alarm level 1). On the Chảy River at Thác Bà, the water level at 5 a.m. on September 11 was 28.83m (6.83m above alarm level 3).

Thác Bà Hydropower Plant. — Photo from the Việt Nam Government Portal (VGP)