Water release schedule for the Winter-Spring crop season in the Northern Midlands and Delta region.

Photo caption — A tiller in the fields of Nam Van commune, Nam Dinh city (formerly). Photo: Cong Luat/TTXVN.

Specifically, the water release schedule for rice cultivation in the 2025-2026 Winter-Spring season in the Northern Midlands and Delta region is as follows: A total of 12 days, comprising 2 phases:

Phase 1: From 00:00 on January 16th to 24:00 on January 20th, 2026 (5 days).

Phase 2: From 00:00 on January 29th to 24:00 on February 4th, 2026 (7 days).

During the water extraction period, the water level at the Hanoi Hydrological Station in the first phase will be maintained at no less than 1.6 m; in the second phase, hydropower plants will operate at maximum power generation capacity to increase water flow to the downstream areas (the average water level is expected to reach approximately 1.7 - 1.9 m at the Hanoi Hydrological Station).

To ensure sufficient water supply for planting and to conserve water from hydropower reservoirs, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment requests that the People's Committees of provinces and cities review and assess the water intake capacity of irrigation works along rivers with the expected water levels during each water intake period, noting that river water levels may be lower than expected due to fluctuations in the riverbed following recent floods. Works at risk of inefficient water intake should have solutions to ensure supplementary or alternative water sources or to shift production structures accordingly.

Local authorities are developing detailed water extraction plans in accordance with the water extraction schedule, ensuring sufficient water supply for cultivated areas requiring water from the Red River system during the two water extraction periods. Simultaneously, they are strengthening measures to retain water in the fields for areas receiving water during the first extraction period, ensuring minimal water loss and shortages until the planting season.

Vietnam Electricity Corporation, the National Power System and Electricity Market Operation Company, organizes the operation of hydropower plants to increase water supply to downstream areas, ensuring the flow is maintained according to the water intake schedule; at the same time, ensuring a stable power supply for the efficient operation of water intake pumping stations.

The People's Committee of Hai Phong city and the People's Committees of coastal provinces are directing relevant agencies to monitor salinity levels, assess and forecast the situation of saltwater intrusion in the downstream areas of rivers; proactively implement solutions to adapt to saltwater intrusion, ensuring water resources for production and daily life.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment requests the Bac Hung Hai Irrigation Works Exploitation Company Limited to develop a specific plan for operating the Xuan Quan mobile pumping station; and to strengthen the organization of reverse water intake into the system through the Cau Xe and An Tho sluices when salinity conditions permit (salinity ≤1‰). Note that localities drawing water from the Bac Hung Hai irrigation system or directly from rivers should proactively measure salinity before drawing water into their fields.

Irrigation companies should review and assess the water carrying capacity of canal systems and water intake gates at risk of increased sedimentation; organize dredging and clearing of silted areas to ensure efficient water intake.

The Department of Agriculture and Environment and the irrigation project operators closely monitor relevant information provided by agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to proactively organize effective water extraction.