Van Nam
The province’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in a document sent to operators of A Vuong, Dak Mi 4, and Song Tranh 2 hydropower plants, and district authorities late last week warned of possible water shortage for rice growing and hydropower plants in the coming time.
According to the provincial weather forecast center, rainfall between December and February was 65-85% lower than the average level in as many years. River water levels have decreased while lowlands are suffering adverse impacts of salinity intrusion.
In March, 2013, hydropower plants in the central region faced great difficulties due to drought. Some plants had to scale down operations or stop electricity generation to reserve water for rice growing.
Speaking to the Daily on Monday, Bui Duc Long, head of Hydrological Forecasting Division for the Central, Central Highlands and South Vietnam, said that drought is expected to hit the region this month and next.
The water level in the Cai River has dropped to the record low at 2.48 meters as upstream hydropower plants have not discharged water. Danang City and Quang Nam Province have also been in the same plight.
Vo Tan Dung, deputy head of Dak Mi 4 hydropower plant management board, said that the plant has been receiving less water than normal.
Normally, upstream water running into its reservoir reaches a speed of 60-70 cubic meters per second in the early months of the year but this year’s rate is just 20-40 cubic meters a second, he said.
Lowlands of the Thu Bon River under Dak Mi 4, A Vuong and Song Tranh hydropower plants are facing drought and salinity intrusion, especially paddy fields.
The agricultural department in the document asked the hydropower plants to send plans on water discharge to related agencies to coordinate electricity generation and water use in the province.
Đăng ký: VietNam News
