Inspections have shown that, after more than three days of implementation, the work of drawing and regulating water from hydropower reservoirs has been carried out relatively smoothly, with better progress compared to the same period last year.
According to Mr. Nguyen Hong Khanh, Deputy Director of the Department of Irrigation Construction and Management, many localities have achieved positive results right from the first days of the first water intake phase, such as Ninh Binh and Phu Tho ... Compared to previous years, the progress of water intake this year has improved significantly, reflecting the increasingly proactive approach of localities in organizing and implementing the project.
One notable point is that many localities have proactively taken advantage of early water extraction when conditions permit. In Ninh Binh province, even before the concentrated water release from large hydropower reservoirs, the locality operated the pumping station system to extract water, reaching over 10% of the cultivated area. This approach contributes to reducing pressure on subsequent water extraction periods and improving the efficiency of water resource use.
Thanks to the proactive efforts of local authorities, the water regulation work from hydropower plants during the first phase this year was assessed as effective. The average water level in Hanoi was maintained at 1.6 meters or higher, as required by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment , and even exceeded the regulated level at times. As a result, pumping stations on the river system operated smoothly, creating favorable conditions for localities to take advantage of early and efficient water extraction.
Mr. Nguyen Hong Khanh stated that after the first phase of water extraction, and in the period leading up to the second phase, the irrigation sector continues to recommend that localities take advantage of favorable conditions to extract water, ensuring the highest possible water coverage area while conserving water resources and contributing to energy security.
Given the forecast of low rainfall, and to prepare well for the next water extraction period, the irrigation sector requests that localities urgently complete land preparation, especially early land preparation to effectively retain water in the fields and minimize losses. In addition, people, cooperatives, and irrigation project management units need to organize the on-field irrigation system well, especially in low-lying areas and riverside floodplains, in order to maximize water storage.
According to Mr. Nguyen Hong Khanh, the positive results in the first few days of the first water release show a clear shift in awareness and actions of localities, especially coastal areas and regions with a tradition of early production. Localities have closely monitored water levels and salinity and proactively taken water as soon as conditions permitted, in accordance with the pre-prepared plan. The irrigation sector advises localities and farmers to continue strictly adhering to the planting schedule, proactively sowing and planting when there is sufficient water, while also storing and protecting water resources in the fields to ensure efficient production of the Winter-Spring crop.
At the project management units, preparations for water intake for this year's Winter-Spring crop have also been implemented early and synchronously. Mr. Tran Van Dung, Deputy Director of Bac Nam Ha Irrigation Works Exploitation Company Limited, said that immediately after the rainy season, the company focused on repairing machinery, equipment, and headworks; dredging water intake gates, and ensuring that pumping stations are ready for operation.
From December 20th, when the first high tide appeared, the unit proactively imported the maximum amount of water into the system for early storage. This is a difference compared to previous years, when many localities often waited for the concentrated release from hydroelectric reservoirs before starting to draw water. When the official water extraction period began, the Nhu Trac pumping station was the first to operate from January 14th, followed by other pumping stations, with the Nham Trang station operating the latest on January 16th. The rational phased operation, closely following the water release schedule of the hydroelectric reservoirs, contributed to improving the efficiency of water extraction.
According to Mr. Tran Van Dung, the Bac Nam Ha irrigation system currently serves to irrigate over 40,000 hectares of rice during the winter-spring crop season. To date, the entire system has ensured water supply for approximately 45% of the planted area. During the water extraction period, all 7 out of 12 irrigation pumping stations managed by the company are mobilized to operate at maximum capacity. Workers are assigned to work three shifts, 24/7, to take full advantage of favorable water levels.
Regarding the production plan for the 2025-2026 Winter-Spring crop season, Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuc, Deputy Director of the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, said that the northern provinces are expected to plant approximately 1.05 million hectares of rice, striving to achieve a yield of about 13 million tons. To achieve this goal, strict adherence to the planting schedule is identified as a key factor, helping the rice plants grow in the most favorable climatic conditions.
The Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection recommends that localities organize planting to avoid severe cold weather during the seedling and tillering stages, and to avoid early summer floods in low-lying areas. Localities should prioritize the use of short-day rice varieties that are high-quality and meet domestic and export requirements; and at the same time, regulate water rationally and apply water-saving irrigation methods to reduce irrigation water, save resources, and contribute to reducing emissions.
Specifically for the Red River Delta region, the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection recommends focusing on planting around the beginning of spring (February 4th). Local authorities should complete planting before the Lunar New Year, avoiding delays that could affect the planting schedule and yield.
Regarding ensuring electricity supply for water extraction, Mr. Nguyen Quoc Trung, Deputy General Director of the National Power System and Electricity Market Operation Company (NSMO), said that before the first phase of water extraction was implemented, NSMO coordinated with major hydropower plants and the Vietnam Electricity Group to agree on an operating plan. The Hoa Binh, Thac Ba, and Tuyen Quang hydropower plants were mobilized at high levels, ensuring the discharge flow met the requirements.
In addition, NSMO closely coordinates with local power companies to ensure stable and continuous power supply to pumping stations, with backup power sources and at least two power lines for key pumping stations. Although the power system is largely automated, the power sector is always ready to increase on-site personnel to ensure safe and continuous power supply, contributing to ensuring that water extraction for the Winter-Spring crop production proceeds according to plan.
According to the Department of Irrigation Construction Management, as of 3 PM on January 19th, the Northern Midlands and Delta region had drawn water for the 2025-2026 Winter-Spring planting season on 215,470 hectares, reaching nearly 45% (an increase of nearly 7% compared to January 18th).
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/lay-nuoc-som-tao-da-cho-vu-dong-xuan-2025-2026-thang-loi-20260119170753751.htm
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