Implementing reservoir operations during the 2023 flood season

Pursuant to Official Dispatch No. 6649/BTNMT-TNN dated August 14, 2023 of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on the operation of reservoirs according to the inter-reservoir operation process during the 2023 flood season in river basins. In order to proactively respond to unusual weather developments, ensure the safety of reservoirs as well as prevent and minimize damage caused by floods during the 2023 flood season, the Chairman of the Ninh Thuan Provincial People's Committee has directed relevant Departments, branches, localities and units to continue to strictly implement assigned tasks.

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, organize inspection and supervision of the implementation of the Operation Procedures of irrigation reservoirs in the province;

Song Cai Lake has a capacity of 219.81 million cubic meters.

Advise and direct the organization of reservoir operations during the flood season in accordance with the provisions of the Procedure; closely monitor the development of floods and rains, calculate and decide on the regulation plan to advise on the timely issuance of reservoir operation orders and promptly notify the reservoir management units and relevant localities and units for implementation; at the same time, inspect and supervise the implementation of reservoir operation orders, organize the management and storage of operation orders to serve the inspection and supervision;

Timely advise the Provincial People's Committee to decide on the operation of reservoirs in the event of unusual floods downstream.

Department of Industry and Trade organizes inspection and supervision of the implementation of the Operation Procedures of hydroelectric reservoirs in the province.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment shall coordinate in providing and promptly sharing information and data on hydrometeorological developments and hydrometeorological monitoring at stations for river basins with reservoirs for agencies and units in the province to ensure effective implementation in organizing and operating reservoirs.

Irrigation Works Exploitation Company Limited closely monitors the hydrometeorological situation, implements the monitoring, forecasting, and calculation regimes to serve the operation and regulation of reservoirs, and provides information and data according to the approved Regulation and Operation Procedures;

Actively coordinate with relevant units and localities in reservoir operation, ensuring prevention, flood reduction downstream, and safety of works. Strictly implement reservoir operation orders of competent authorities according to the provisions of the Reservoir Operation Procedure. In case of unusual situations, it is necessary to immediately report and attach a proposed plan to the competent authority according to regulations for consideration and decision on reservoir operation;

Strictly implement the provision of operating data at least once an hour (when there is a forecast, emergency storm warning, near-shore tropical depression or other weather conditions causing floods) to the Reservoir Operation Data Management System of the Department of Water Resources Management to serve the work of monitoring, supervising, forecasting and warning of floods in river basins;

Da Nhim Hydropower Plant has a total design capacity of 240MW.

Organize a review of the coordination regulations signed with units and localities to promptly adjust the contents (if any) and implement them to ensure safety for works and downstream areas when reservoirs discharge floodwaters, promote more effective flood reduction and downstream water supply according to the regulations of the Reservoir Operation Procedures.

For the People's Committees of districts and cities, develop plans to proactively prevent and combat floods and organize measures to respond to flood situations in the area; proactively implement measures to ensure the safety of residents and limit damage. Closely coordinate with the Irrigation Works Exploitation Company Limited during the period of rain and flood to proactively respond to all situations to ensure safety for downstream areas when reservoirs discharge floodwaters.

Currently, the irrigation system of Ninh Thuan province consists of 22 reservoirs with a total designed capacity of 414.29 million cubic meters, of which Song Cai reservoir has a capacity of 219.81 million cubic meters; there are 05 dams: Song Pha, Tan My, Nha Trinh, Lam Cam and the Lower Dinh River salinity prevention dam. In the province, there are 10 hydropower plants (on Ong River 07, on Cai River 03), mainly small hydropower plants; Da Nhim Hydropower Plant alone has a total designed capacity of 240MW, using water from Don Duong reservoir in Lam Dong province.

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