Khanh Hoa regulates reservoirs to respond to storm No. 13

Currently, many reservoirs in Khanh Hoa province have accumulated water at over 80%. Before the forecast of storm No. 13, the locality is regulating water and reserving capacity for flood prevention.

Proactively control operations and increase on-duty staff

Khanh Hoa is proactively responding to the developments of storm No. 13 (Kalmaegi storm), while ensuring the safety of 64 reservoirs in the area. The provincial Irrigation Department has advised the Khanh Hoa Department of Agriculture and Environment to urgently regulate large reservoirs to ensure maximum safety and be ready to welcome the storm.

Suoi Dau Lake regulates water flow with small flow to respond to storm No. 13. Photo: Kim So.

According to Mr. Le Xuan Thai, Head of the Khanh Hoa Province Irrigation Sub-Department, the locality currently has 64 reservoirs, including 53 irrigation lakes and 11 hydroelectric lakes. Up to now, the total capacity of irrigation lakes in the province is at 600 million m3/752 million m3, reaching 80% of the design capacity.

Before the forecast of storm No. 13 being at risk of making landfall, the Irrigation Department advised the Department of Agriculture and Environment to issue Official Dispatch No. 6357 dated November 3, 2025 on proactively responding to storms near the East Sea (storm Kalmaegi). Then the Provincial People's Committee issued Document No. 6685/UBND-KT dated November 3, 2025 on proactively responding to storms near the East Sea (storm Kalmaegi) to direct localities and units.

In particular, reservoir management units are required to urgently operate and regulate large and sufficient reservoirs such as Hoa Son, Da Ban, Suoi Dau, Ta Ruc, Cam Ranh, Song Cai, Tan Giang, Tra Co... to ensure priority for flood prevention capacity for downstream areas. Regulation must be carried out simultaneously with monitoring river water levels and tidal schedules to limit flooding downstream areas, while regulating flow during the day and gradually reducing flow at night.

Khanh Hoa Irrigation Works Exploitation Company Limited has also taken proactive measures to respond. Mr. Dinh Tan Thanh, Deputy Director of the Company, said that the company is currently assigned to manage and exploit 19 reservoirs with a total capacity of 213 m3. Up to this point, the reservoirs have accumulated 181 million m3, equivalent to over 85% of the design capacity.

Currently, Khanh Hoa Irrigation Works Exploitation One Member Co., Ltd. regulates 7 reservoirs. Photo: KS.

To cope with storm No. 13 that may make landfall in Khanh Hoa province, the company has proactively taken measures such as organizing 24/7 on-duty to update weather developments. "Since September 15, the start of the rainy and stormy season, all of the company's construction sites have arranged staff to be on duty 24/7," Mr. Thanh shared, adding that, on that basis, the company has developed specific regulation plans and sent regulation notices to local units 6 hours in advance.

Currently, to welcome storm No. 13, the Company has regulated 7 reservoirs including Hoa Son, Da Ban, Da Den, Am Chua, Suoi Dau, Cam Ranh, Ta Ruc with small flow rates from 1-24m3/s. The company's regulation policy is to operate with large flow rates during the day and with gradually smaller flow rates at night, in order to increase the flood prevention capacity of the reservoirs managed by the company, to ensure the safety of the works and reduce flooding downstream.

Review the project and coordinate closely with downstream

According to Mr. Thai, in the coming time, the Irrigation Sub-Department will continue to advise the Department to direct reservoir management units to strictly implement the contents before, during and after the storm. Before the storm, it is necessary to regularly check and detect locations at risk of landslides along the lake, upstream and downstream areas of key works, proactively prevent landslides on hillsides and river banks downstream of dams and spillways, which limit the ability to drain floods. Reviewing disaster response plans, checking electrical and communication systems, and fully preparing human resources, materials and equipment for disaster prevention at reservoir and dam works are also urgent requirements.

Irrigation companies in Khanh Hoa province proactively checked irrigation works to respond to storm No. 13. Photo: KS.

During storms, units must organize 24/7 on-duty at the construction site, closely monitor rain, floods, lake inflow and lake water level, and operate and regulate according to procedures. The company also regularly monitors irrigation works to detect early and promptly handle unsafe signs and phenomena, if any. When there are unusual situations (rapidly increasing flood flow, seepage, leakage, damaged gate valves, power outages, etc.), it is necessary to promptly report to the Irrigation Sub-Department and the Department of Agriculture and Environment for handling and response measures.

After the storm, lake management units must inspect and comprehensively assess the condition of the works (dam body, spillway, water intake, flood drainage system, upstream and downstream areas), promptly and temporarily repair any damage or incidents that arise to ensure further safety.

At the same time, it is necessary to strengthen coordination in notifying and warning about reservoir operations with the authorities and people in the downstream area, proactively evacuating people from dangerous areas when heavy rain occurs, not allowing people to carry out activities (such as: traveling back and forth, fishing, collecting firewood...) within the reservoir protection area, especially on flood drainage routes.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/khanh-hoa-dieu-tiet-ho-chua-ung-pho-bao-so-13-d782108.html