Dien Bien dam safety ensures water for agricultural production

Dien Bien strengthens inspection and operation of reservoirs, maintains irrigation infrastructure and tightens water resource management to serve sustainable agricultural production.

Faced with increasingly extreme floods and the increasing risk of dam safety, Dien Bien province is synchronously implementing many solutions to tighten the management and operation of the irrigation system. This work not only contributes to protecting production but also ensures the safety of people, especially in the downstream areas with high population density.

According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Dien Bien province, monitoring and updating data on reservoir capacity, water level, rainfall and regulation processes are carried out daily at all reservoirs. Mr. Lo Hong Phong, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, said: Regularly updating data helps the industry detect early risks of dam safety, while also serving the work of regulating water for production. This is also an important basis for Dien Bien province to complete the dam safety report to serve the National Conference on Natural Disaster Prevention in 2025.

Local forces dredge and clear canals before the flood season, ensuring water flow and safety of irrigation works. Photo: HC

Not only state management agencies, but also the direct operating forces at the base are taking drastic measures. Mr. Dinh Van Thuy, Chairman of Dien Bien Irrigation Management Company Limited, said: On days of heavy rain, the unit must arrange staff to be on duty 24/7 at key reservoirs. “Just hearing the sound of water flowing stronger than usual or detecting strange leakage sounds at the foot of the dam, the team immediately checks. During the rainy season, the phone is set to loud ring mode, lying down at night listening to the sound of rain, we know how much the water level of the reservoir will increase the next day. Everyone must be proactive, we cannot let unexpected incidents happen.”

In 2025, Dien Bien province will deploy a plan to inspect the safety of reservoir works after the flood season, focusing on potential risk points and degraded reservoirs. The inspection team will specifically assess the current status of the dam body, flood drainage system, water intake culverts and locations showing signs of seepage and cracks. Thereby, the agricultural sector will advise on timely repair and reinforcement solutions, ensuring the works operate safely before the planting season.

Leaders and people of Thanh An commune inspect the current status of the irrigation canal system serving agricultural production. Photo: HC

Along with the task of ensuring dam safety, the management of irrigation infrastructure assets is also given special attention by Dien Bien province. Units are assigned to urge the implementation of the 2025 maintenance plan and develop a comprehensive plan for 2026 to avoid waste and loss of public assets.

Currently, Dien Bien province is handing over the management and operation of the irrigation canal from Van Tan village (Thanh An commune) to Na Vai village (Sam Mun commune) after it has been solidified. The project helps improve irrigation capacity, reduce water loss and stabilize production in key fields. Along with that, the internal road system and drainage canal of the Dien Bien Airport resettlement project are also handed over to the locality for management, serving production and reducing local flooding.

The newly solidified irrigation canals and intra-field roads help improve water regulation and serve agricultural production in Dien Bien. Photo: HC

In addition, departments and branches continue to strengthen guidance for localities to comply with state management regulations on exploitation and protection of irrigation works; strictly handle acts of encroachment on corridors and discharge of waste that cause risks to dam safety. Management of irrigation infrastructure assets and centralized rural clean water systems is tightened to ensure sustainable operation of works, serving people's lives in the long term.

With the coordination between the agriculture - environment sector and authorities at all levels, the work of ensuring dam safety in Dien Bien is being implemented more and more effectively. This is an important foundation for Dien Bien province to proactively prevent natural disasters, protect agricultural production and move towards sustainable management of water resources in the coming period.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/dien-bien-an-toan-ho-dap-dam-bao-nuoc-trong-san-xuat-nong-nghiep-d786483.html