Reservoirs to release water to parched farms

highland

HA NOI — The water level of rivers will likely fall by 30 per cent this dry season, forcing hydro-electricity plants in central and Central Highlands provinces scramble to ensure a steady electricity and water supply.

The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said droughts and water shortages in these areas were expected to be more serious than ever.

“River water levels in Ha Tinh and Binh Thuan provinces would be 40-50 per cent lower than in previous years and neighbouring areas would also see significant reductions in water,” they said.

Dang Van Tuan, general director of the Ba Ha Hydro Electricity Plant in central Phu Yen Province, said that reservoirs in the Ba Ha River currently held only 40-60 per cent of their capacity, as the river had reached its lowest level since the beginning of the year.

The plant is producing less electricity in order to save water. However, along with the Hinh and Krong H’ Nang facilities, the plant is still responsible for providing more than 20,000ha with water for farming, he said.

Director of Dong Nai Hydro Electricity Plant in Dong Nai Province Pham Van Cuc shared Tuan’s concern, saying the absence of rain since October meant that the water level in Dong Nai 3 Lake was 5 metres lower than usual.

“There would be no rain forecast for the next two months, compounding the problem,” he added.

And Deputy General Director of the Da Nhim-Ham Thuan-Da Mi hydro electricity plant Do Minh Loc said the plant remained responsible for supplying water to Binh Thuan and Ninh Thuan provinces, even though all of its lakes were 3-5 metres lower than usual.

Tuan said the plant had made plans with the province’s Agriculture and Rural Development Department to operate reservoirs and provide water for farming.

He said the plant generated electricity for eight to ten hours per day depending on the timetable of pumping stations and water volume flowing to the reservoirs. In the case of drought, the plant will rely on the water stored in reservoirs.

Meanwhile, Cuc, director of the Dong Nai Hydro Electricity Plant, said the plant had compromised with localities to ensure enough water for their irrigation. The plant would still reach its yearly production goal of 1.3billion kWH, he said.

Loc of the Da Nhim-Ham Thuan-Da Mi hydro electricity plant said that to combat the drought, the plant would generate electricity at 50cu.m per second during rush hours, holidays and weekends. — VNS