Ministry of Industry and Trade tightens reservoir safety after Bac Khe 1 incident

Photo caption — Scene of the Bac Khe hydroelectric dam ( Lang Son ) breaking on the afternoon of October 7, 2025. Photo: VNA

Accordingly, due to the influence of storm No. 11, on the night of October 6 and early morning of October 7, the Northern region and Thanh Hoa had moderate rain, heavy rain, and very heavy rain in some places; especially in Thai Nguyen, Bac Ninh, Hanoi and Thanh Hoa, there was heavy to very heavy rain. The rainfall from 7:00 p.m. on October 6 to 6:00 a.m. on October 7 was locally over 200mm in some places, such as: Hoa Thuong station (Thai Nguyen) 437.6mm, Bo Ha station (Bac Ninh) 250.4mm...

It is forecasted that from October 7 to 10, floods on Cau River, Thuong River, Luc Nam River and rivers in Cao Bang, Lang Son Province and other rivers in the North will continue to rise. The flood peak on Cau River, Thuong River, Luc Nam River will exceed level BĐ3 (possibility of exceptionally large floods on these rivers); rivers in Lang Son, Cao Bang, Quang Ninh Provinces will rise to levels BĐ2-BĐ3 and above BĐ3; Thao River (Lao Cai), Lo River (Tuyen Quang) will rise to levels BĐ1-BĐ2 and above BĐ2; floods reaching Hoa Binh Lake, Hoang Long River (Ninh Binh), and the lower reaches of the Red River in Hanoi will rise above level BĐ1. There is a high risk of flooding in low-lying areas along rivers and urban areas in the North; and a risk of flash floods and landslides on steep slopes in mountainous areas of the North.

At about 1:30 p.m. on October 7, Bac Khe 1 Hydropower Plant in Tan Tien Commune, Lang Son Province with a capacity of 2.4 MW, Bac Khe River, basin area of 325 km², water flow of 1,572 m³, experienced a dam wall failure of about 4-5 m long and 3-4 m deep. To proactively respond to heavy rain and floods, the Minister of Industry and Trade requested the Chairmen of the People's Committees of Dien Bien, Son La, Lang Son, Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai provinces and the Owners, management and operation units of dams and hydropower reservoirs to concentrate maximum resources to immediately deploy tasks.

Specifically, the Chairmen of the People's Committees of Dien Bien, Son La, Lang Son, Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang, and Lao Cai provinces closely monitor the developments of floods and rains; promptly inform authorities at all levels and people to proactively prevent and avoid; proactively develop plans to ensure residential safety to be ready to deploy when the worst situations occur, not to be passive and surprised.

Focus on directing owners, management units and operators of hydropower projects in the province to organize operations and implement plans to ensure the safety of dams and hydropower reservoirs, especially in unusual and emergency situations in accordance with the single reservoir operation procedures and inter-reservoir operation procedures approved by competent authorities; arrange a standing force to operate and regulate and be ready to handle situations that may arise.

At the same time, direct local radio and television stations to increase information on developments of rain, floods, and reservoir discharges to people and authorities at all levels for proactive prevention; specialized agencies coordinate with local television stations and media agencies, especially at the grassroots level, to propagate, disseminate, and guide people to proactively respond to minimize damage.

In addition, direct the Department of Industry and Trade to immediately establish inspection teams to monitor the operation of hydroelectric reservoirs in the province, especially small hydroelectric reservoirs (Nam Cat, Ta Lang, Khuoi Thuoc, Na Loa, Na Tau, Tien Thanh, Thoong Cot 2, Pac Cap, Thuong An) to promptly direct the work of ensuring the safety of dams, reservoirs and downstream areas. Direct the Department of Industry and Trade of Lang Son province to urgently inspect the dam break incident at Bac Khe 1 Hydroelectric Plant; direct Bac Khe 1 Hydroelectric Plant and local functional units to immediately deploy emergency response plans, ensuring absolute safety for people downstream.

For owners, management and operation units of hydropower projects, organize 24/7 command and disaster prevention on-duty, regularly update and promptly report to competent authorities on the operation status of the project, especially in unusual and emergency situations as prescribed.

Strictly comply with the single reservoir operation process and the inter-reservoir operation process approved by the competent authority. At the same time, seriously carry out the tasks assigned in Official Dispatch No. 7713/CD-BCT dated October 7, 2025 of the Minister of Industry and Trade on focusing on responding to heavy rains, landslides, and flash floods caused by the circulation of storm No. 11.

In particular, strengthen information and warnings to people downstream about rain, flood and flood discharge regimes of hydroelectric projects under their management. Prepare response plans for unusual and emergency situations according to the four-on-the-spot principle to promptly deploy in any natural disaster situation.

The Department of Industrial Safety and Environment immediately organized an inspection team to ensure the safety of dams and reservoirs in Lang Son and Cao Bang provinces. Strengthened direction and supervision of the safe operation of dams and reservoirs of hydropower projects in the Northern region, especially hydropower plants in Cao Bang, Lang Son, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, Son La and Lai Chau provinces.

The telegram requires units to closely monitor weather developments and natural disaster situations in the regions, strictly implement the Prime Minister's telegrams and the Minister of Industry and Trade's telegrams, and periodically report daily to the Department of Industrial Safety Techniques and Environment (via the address VPTT_PCTT@moit.gov.vn) for synthesis and reporting to competent authorities.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/bo-cong-thuong-siet-an-toan-ho-chua-sau-su-co-bac-khe-1-20251007195443163.htm