Việt Nam asks China to refrain from releasing water on Red River's upstream, amid severe flooding

Thousands of households along Route 32C near the Red River in Tuy Lộc and Minh Tân communes in the northern province Phú Thọ have been submerged in floodwaters. — VNA/VNS Photo Tạ Toàn

In an initial response, China confirmed that two of its hydropower plants upstream will not release water.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated today that in response to widespread flooding and landslides in northern regions in the wake of powerful typhoon Yagi, it engaged in discussions with the Chinese Embassy's Chargé d'affaires in Hà Nội in order to work together on flood prevention and recovery efforts, especially to mitigate the effects of Typhoon Yagi.

Officials from the Vietnamese Embassy in China and the Consulate General in Kunming held urgent meetings with representatives from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Yunnan Province's Foreign Affairs Department. They requested support in implementing measures to reduce the risk of flooding in the Red River basin.

Việt Nam’s diplomatic missions in China also issued formal notes, urging China to strictly regulate water flow from the upstream of the Red River (known as Yuan River in China) and coordinate with relevant agencies to close or reduce discharge from upstream dams.

Additionally, Việt Nam asked for timely updates on flood discharge schedules, including specific times and volumes.

As of Tuesday, according to updates from Vietnamese missions in China, the country confirmed that the two upstream hydropower plants on the Red River will not release water and have no plans to do so for the time being.

These plants have also halted operations to prevent flooding and store water.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasised that Vietnamese representatives in China will continue working closely with local authorities to provide regular and timely updates on the flood situation in China, which may impact Việt Nam.

They will also maintain ongoing communication to encourage actions that limit water discharge from China’s upstream regions, thereby mitigating flood damage in northern river basins in Việt Nam.

Yagi, the strongest typhoon in the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) in 30 years, hit Việt Nam on Saturday, but the heavy downpours following the storm continues to ravage the northern region.

As of Tuesday noon, 157 people have been killed or gone missing due to the typhoon, landslides, and flooding, while people were injured. Nearly 150,000 hectares of rice and crops have been flooded.