Warning of potential water shortage.

Báo Quảng Ninh•07/06/2023

According to experts, the El Nino phenomenon has caused hot and dry weather, increasing the risk of water shortages and affecting production and people's lives. Currently, water levels in some lakes and dams in the province have decreased compared to the same period last year and are forecast to continue to fall if there is no rain. Provincial authorities are implementing various management and operational solutions to minimize the risk of water shortages.

Officials from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development inspect the Tan Yen water reservoir (Dong Trieu town).

In Dong Trieu town, Dong Trieu Irrigation Company Limited manages 18 reservoirs and dams with a total water storage capacity of approximately 35.8 million ^m³ ; 6 irrigation pumping stations with 18 units and a total irrigation pumping capacity of 18,900 ^m³ /h; 5 drainage pumping stations with 45 units and a total drainage pumping capacity of 159,000 ^m³ /h; 1 drainage sluice gate and jointly manages 7 sluice gates under the dike; 142 km of various types of irrigation and drainage canals and structures on the canals. Annually, the company provides irrigation water for nearly 6,199 hectares of cultivated land in 19 communes and wards and several businesses in the town.

According to assessments by relevant authorities, many irrigation reservoirs in the area currently have lower water levels compared to previous years; posing a risk of drought and affecting water supply for agricultural production and daily life needs this year.

The Trai Loc 1 reservoir, with a usable capacity of 2.7 million m3, has now decreased to 0.5 million m3.

For example, Khe Che reservoir, with a usable capacity of 9 million ^m³ , has now decreased to 3.4 million ^m³ ; Trai Loc 1 reservoir, with a usable capacity of 2.7 million ^m³ , has now decreased to 0.5 million ^m³ ; Dong Do 1 reservoir, with a usable capacity of 2.34 million ^m³ , has decreased to 0.7 million ^m³ ; Ben Chau reservoir, with a usable capacity of 7.8 million ^m³ , has decreased to 2.67 million ^m³ …

Mr. Dang Van Tuyen, Chairman of Dong Trieu Irrigation Company Limited, said: "Currently, the water level in the 18 reservoirs managed by the company is lower than the same period in 2022. The capacity of the reservoirs under the company's management is currently 12.25 million ^m³ / 35.58 million ^m³ , reaching 34% of the total designed capacity. With this water source, we can still ensure irrigation water supply for agricultural production in Dong Trieu town during June and early July. However, with the current prolonged hot weather and lack of rain, some reservoirs are at risk of water shortages for agricultural production."

To address the water shortage, from the beginning of 2023, the company proactively developed plans and solutions to cope with drought and water scarcity in reservoirs at risk of water shortage, such as: installing mobile pumps, utilizing dead storage capacity in reservoirs and water sources from rivers and streams; directing irrigation clusters to directly channel water from canals to irrigation areas according to water sources, and repairing the canal system to prevent leakage and water loss…

Dong Do 1 Lake, which supplies irrigation water to Binh Khe commune (Dong Trieu town), has seen its water level drop to 0.7 million cubic meters.

Meanwhile, the Yen Lap Quang Ninh Irrigation Company Limited is assigned to manage and exploit 13 large and medium-sized reservoirs with a total water storage capacity of approximately 151.4 million ^m³ , serving the production and lives of people in the localities of Quang Yen, Uong Bi and Ha Long. Currently, the water level has dropped to 21.5m, 1.56m lower than the same period last year.

Currently, water levels in reservoirs managed by Yen Lap Quang Ninh Irrigation Company Limited are lower than the same period in 2022. Specifically, the Roc Cung reservoir is -1.05m below the dead water level; the An Bien reservoir is 0.8m below the dead water level; the Roc Ca reservoir is 0.5m below the dead water level, with the water level at the Khe Cam intake gate of the Roc Ca reservoir already 0.5m below the bottom of the gate, making it impossible to open the gate for agricultural production; and the Chan Deo reservoir is 2.54m below the dead water level…

In response to this situation, the Yen Lap Quang Ninh Irrigation Company Limited has coordinated with relevant units and localities to strengthen information dissemination, propaganda, and guidance for people to use water resources rationally for production; enhance management and rational allocation of water resources to localities; maintain and repair infrastructure to prevent water loss, etc.

The current water level in Khe Chè Lake has dropped to 3.4 million cubic meters.

According to statistics from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, there are currently 176 reservoirs and dams operating in the province, providing water for irrigation and daily life; the usable capacity of these reservoirs is over 315 million ^m³ . As of now, the capacity in these reservoirs has reached 170.6 million ^m³ , approximately 54% of the total water reserves.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Son, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said: "From the beginning of the year, the province has issued directives on ensuring water security and environmental protection. Currently, the province is basically ensuring the supply of water for irrigation and daily life for the people. However, if there is no good plan for water use, a water shortage will occur. Currently, the eastern part of the province basically has enough water for nearly 3 months, and the western part for about 2 months if water-saving measures are implemented in reservoirs. In the current hot and dry weather conditions, the Department has directed irrigation companies to implement appropriate water storage and regulation plans; and advised localities to proactively disseminate information and encourage people and households to use water economically and rationally, especially during irrigation to avoid waste and loss."

Source