Bac Khe 1 Hydropower Dam Breaks, Ministry of Industry and Trade Issues Urgent Telegram

The Minister of Industry and Trade has just issued an urgent dispatch on focusing on responding to heavy rain and floods caused by storm No. 11.

The dispatch said that 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...

Notably, at around 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.

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 provinces and other rivers in the North will continue to rise. 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 in the North.

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, and Lao Cai provinces to closely monitor the developments of rain and floods; promptly inform authorities at all levels and people to proactively prevent and avoid them. Proactively develop plans to ensure the safety of residents 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 process and the inter-reservoir operation process approved by competent authorities; arrange a standing force to operate and regulate and be ready to handle any situations that may arise.

Direct the Department of Industry and Trade to immediately establish inspection teams to monitor the operation of hydropower reservoirs in the province, especially small hydropower 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.

The Minister of Industry and Trade requested the leaders of Lang Son province to direct the Department of Industry and Trade to immediately establish inspection teams to monitor the operation of hydropower reservoirs in the province, especially small hydropower 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 Hydropower Plant; direct Bac Khe 1 Hydropower Plant and local functional units to immediately deploy emergency response plans, ensuring absolute safety for people downstream.

According to a quick report, the incident at Bac Khe 1 hydropower plant affected 3 villages: Bac Khe, Na Soong and Hop Luc. The total number of households in the 3 villages is 196 with 779 people. Of which, 23 households with 101 people were affected by the Bac Khe 1 hydropower dam break. Currently, people have been evacuated to a safe place.

Strictly follow the single reservoir operating procedure

For owners, management and operation units of hydropower projects, the Minister of Industry and Trade requested that the Command and Disaster Prevention Committee be on duty 24/7, regularly update and promptly report to competent authorities on the operation of the project, especially in unusual and emergency situations as prescribed.

Strictly comply with the single reservoir operation procedure and the inter-reservoir operation procedure approved by the competent authority.

Seriously carry out the assigned tasks in Official Dispatch No. 7713/CD-BCT dated October 7, 2025 of the Minister of Industry and Trade on focusing on responding to heavy rain, landslides, and flash floods caused by the circulation of storm No. 11.

Strengthen information and warning work for people downstream about rain, flood and flood discharge regime of hydroelectric projects under their management.

Prepare response plans for unusual and emergency situations according to the four-on-the-spot principle for timely deployment in any natural disaster situation.

The Department of Industrial Safety and Environment was assigned to immediately organize an inspection team to ensure the safety of dams and reservoirs in Lang Son and Cao Bang provinces. Strengthen 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.

Source: https://vtv.vn/vo-dap-thuy-dien-bac-khe-1-bo-cong-thuong-phat-cong-dien-hoa-toc-100251007192852728.htm