Building a plan to use Red River-Thai Binh water economically

The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment has just decided to announce the water resource scenario (for the first time) in the Red - Thai Binh river basin to serve the regulation and distribution of water resources in the river basin, contributing to ensuring water security, food security, energy security and other essential needs of the people. At the same time, it serves as a basis for ministries, branches and provincial People's Committees in the river basin, within the scope of their tasks and powers, to direct the planning of water resource exploitation and use in accordance with the water resource scenario according to the provisions of the Law on Water Resources 2023.

Accordingly, the scenario announcement period is calculated and evaluated in the dry season of 2024-2025 (from December 2024 to June 2025).

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment assessed that the overall water resources of large and important reservoirs, water resources in river basins and sub-basins are basically in a normal state, the amount of water that can still be exploited is sufficient for daily life and social security needs; ensuring adequate water for economic sectors and environmental protection.

However, water resources in the basin during the scenario announcement period are not abundant and still pose a risk of water shortage if not exploited, used reasonably, economically and effectively.

Some sub-regions, sub-basins, some communes and districts in localities such as Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Phu Tho, Ha Giang, Yen Bai, Tuyen Quang and Bac Giang There is still a possibility of local water shortages. The main reason is that the water intake capacity and quantity of exploitation works, works, and irrigation systems are still lacking and not synchronized.

Regarding the use of water resources during the flood season (January, February 2025) and after the flood season (March to June 2025), although in 2025, the water resources are in a normal state, however, if the amount of water released from reservoirs serving the flood season is large and the demand for water for power generation increases or during months with the risk of heat waves and shortages of other power sources, the water resources of the reservoirs are at risk of not being able to fully meet the water demand for water use downstream.

To minimize the risk of water shortages, especially prioritizing the provision of water for daily life in the Red - Thai Binh River basin in all situations, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment requests the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, Industry and Trade, Construction and Provincial People's Committees in the river basin, within the scope of their assigned tasks and powers, to proactively direct the development of plans for the exploitation and use of water resources according to the normal water needs of each sector, field and locality. However, water use plans must be based on the principle of saving water, avoiding loss and waste, and preventing the risk of drought and water shortage in the last months of the dry season.

To ensure the use of water for multiple purposes, to prepare for widespread heat waves in April, May and June 2025 and to minimize the risk of power shortages from thermal power plants and hydroelectric reservoirs (especially for multi-purpose hydroelectric reservoirs in the North on the Da River), it is necessary to maintain the water level of the reservoirs to ensure that there is no reduction in power generation capacity until the end of the dry season.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment recommends that the amount of water for flooding should be between 2.8 - 3.2 billion m3.³and water demand for hydropower with output as expected or increased but not exceeding the average output in the period 2015 - 2024 to ensure the ability of water resources to harmoniously meet water use purposes in the Red River - Thai Binh River basin in the dry season of 2024 - 2025 and the following period.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment requests the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade to direct the development and early promulgation of appropriate and economical plans for water intake and power generation during the flood season. Localities have plans to optimally use water resources during the flood season to shorten the time and amount of water released from reservoirs to serve the flood season.

The People's Committees of Hai Duong, Thai Binh provinces, Hai Phong city and localities in the Red River Delta directed to closely monitor the developments of saltwater intrusion on rivers to develop appropriate water intake plans, paying attention to ensuring the quantity and quality of water for clean water plants and centralized water supply works to ensure water supply for daily life and production activities.