China's water release has minimal impact on Vietnam downstream: Deputy Minister

China began discharging water from its upstream hydropower dams into the Lo River as of 2 p.m. on September 11, and Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Hoang Hiep reported the discharge rate as relatively low and not expected to significantly affect downstream areas in Vietnam.

At Hoa Binh hydropower plant (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – China began discharging water from its upstream hydropower dams into the Lo River as of 2 p.m on September 11, with a relatively low discharge rate that is expected not to significantly affect downstream areas in Vietnam, said Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Hoang Hiep.

The official also noted that China had provided advance notice to Vietnam for appropriate preparatory measures. With a discharge rate of only 250 m³/s, the water release is unlikely to cause substantial flooding in the downstream regions of Vietnam.

As the Hoa Binh hydropower reservoir in the northern province of Hoa Binh discharges at a rate of 1,800 m³/s, the current discharge from China is comparatively minor. On the morning of September 11, the People's Committee of Ha Giang province, which is among the localities that the Lo River flows through, issued a dispatch on proactive response to the potential impact of China's water release.

To minimise damage from potential localised flooding due to the increased water flow, the Chairman of the Ha Giang city People's Committee has instructed local authorities in the affected areas to closely follow flood discharge updates and implement disaster response plans./.

VNA