At the peak of the rainy season, Dien Bien rivers and lakes are still dry.

Specifically, at Nam Khau Hu reservoir (Hua Thanh commune, Dien district) with a designed capacity of more than 7.5 million m3, but currently the water level in the lake has only reached nearly half, about 10m lower than the same period in 2022. In addition to the task of providing water for nearly 300 hectares of two-crop rice, this reservoir is also the only source of domestic water for the entire Dien Bien Phu city and part of Dien Bien district.

Similarly, the water level of Hong Lake (Sam Mun Commune, Dien Bien District) decreased by 5m compared to the same period in 2022, making it difficult to provide irrigation water. In particular, Pa Khoang Lake is the lake with the largest design capacity in Dien Bien province with nearly 41 million m3 of water, but currently the water volume in the lake is only about 17 million m3.

Although it is the rainy season, many reservoirs in Dien Bien province are still dry.

In addition, many other lakes in Dien Bien such as Song Un also have water levels 6.9m lower; Na Uom Lake is 7.1m lower; Ban Ban Lake is 6.4m lower; Sai Luong Lake is 5.6m lower than the same period in 2022.

Explaining the low water level of the reservoir even during the rainy season, Mr. Le Van Thi - Director of Dien Bien Irrigation Management Company Limited (Dien Bien Irrigation Company) said: Although it has been raining continuously in the province recently, the amount of water stored in the hydroelectric reservoirs is still very low. The reason is that Dien Bien had to endure long heat waves that caused the reservoirs to dry up. Therefore, the recent rains were not enough for the reservoirs to store water again.

At the same time, low rainfall in the upstream area leads to water shortages in most reservoirs. Currently, the total water volume in 13 reservoirs managed by Dien Bien Irrigation Company is less than 50% of the designed capacity. Through monitoring, rainfall in the area is only 40-50% compared to the same period in previous years, leading to water levels in the reservoirs being 5-7m lower than the annual average water level, even about 10m lower in some places.

The water level at Son La hydroelectric lake in Tua Chua district, Dien Bien province is low, making it difficult for cage fish farmers to take care of their fish.

At this time, two large reservoirs in Tua Chua district, Dien Bien province, Song Mun and Tong Lenh lakes, are still dry, even though the previous days had seen rain again, lasting for several days.

Taking us to visit two large irrigation lakes in Tua Chua district, Mr. Pham Quoc Dat, Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Tua Chua district, said: “From the beginning of 2023 until now, the two large reservoirs of the district have started to dry up below 50% of their reserves and have now dried up to the dead water level. Although the weather has returned in recent days, it is still not enough for the two lakes to store water. Meanwhile, the two lakes are currently providing irrigation water for over 60 hectares of rice and vegetables of people in the central communes of Tua Chua district. Therefore, when the water level is low, local authorities and people are worried that in the coming crop season, many areas of rice and crops will not have enough water for irrigation.

Regarding the irrigation water plan for agriculture , according to Mr. Le Van Thi, Dien Bien Irrigation Company has implemented plans to ensure irrigation water for agriculture in case the reserve water is not enough. Accordingly, the company has directed units to implement solutions to supply irrigation water economically and alternately.

In addition, the agricultural sector and localities have also proactively coordinated with local irrigation management units to regularly monitor developments and update water levels in streams and creeks to develop plans for economical irrigation, rotation, and concentration of water sources to ensure production. Strengthen propaganda and guidance for people to use irrigation water economically to ensure maximum efficiency of existing water resources.

Source: https://baotainguyenmoitruong.vn/dinh-diem-mua-mua-song-ho-dien-bien-van-can-nuoc-360904.html