'Ban Ve hydroelectric plant is running out of water'
(Baonghean.vn) - 'If the water discharge rate remains at 100-120 m3/second as it is now, and the weather continues to be hot and dry without rain, it is predicted that the Ban Ve Hydropower Plant will run out of water in the next 8-9 days.'
This warning was issued by Mr. Hoang Nghia Hieu, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, at the working session of the Party Committee of the Provincial People's Committee on the afternoon of June 26th.
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| Nghi Loc district currently has 3,000 hectares of summer-autumn rice crops facing severe drought. (Photo: Nhat Tuan) |
According to Mr. Hieu, the agricultural sector is currently facing many challenges, most notably the difficulty of water shortage due to the severe drought. Local authorities have reported a total cultivated area of approximately 12,500 hectares lacking water. Based on this, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has conducted on-site inspections and found that most areas still have the conditions to pump water for rotational irrigation to prevent food crops and vegetables from dying.
Besides outlining the direction for shifting to drought-resistant crop cultivation, the Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development affirmed that drought prevention efforts are still being implemented vigorously.
Regarding this issue, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Dinh Viet Hong stated that as of June 26th, the drought in Nghe An had lasted 22 days. The province has closely coordinated with the meteorological and hydrological station and relevant departments and agencies to manage water production, regulate water levels, and ensure rational water allocation.
“The drought is likely to last until the end of June, with heavy rains not expected until around July 2nd to 4th, so the drought situation is very difficult. Recently, the Provincial People's Committee issued a document assigning the Ban Ve Hydropower Plant and the western districts to regulate water for downstream areas, serving agriculture, industry, and daily life…”, the comrade stated.
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| The Ban Ve hydroelectric plant releases water. Photo courtesy of Nhat Lan. |
In fact, over the past week, the Provincial People's Committee has directed the Ban Ve Hydropower Plant to release water at a level of 100-120 meters.3The water release rate is 100 m3/second, intended to supply water to the downstream area. However, the current difficulty lies in the fact that the water level of the Ban Ve Hydropower Plant is currently at 159/200m. If the discharge rate continues at 100 m3/second and there is still no rain, it is estimated that the Ban Ve Hydropower Plant will run out of water in about 8-9 days.
According to the inter-reservoir management procedure, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee has the authority to manage water levels during both the flood and drought seasons. The Provincial People's Committee assesses that the Ban Ve Hydropower Plant has strictly complied with the request to release water to regulate water levels in the downstream area.
In light of this situation, Comrade Nguyen Dac Vinh - Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and Head of the Provincial Delegation of National Assembly Deputies - noted that at the time the hydropower plant releases water, downstream areas must have a plan and scientifically calculated methods for water intake and storage to avoid wasting the amount of water released by the hydropower plant.
