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| A reservoir is almost dried up in Quang Binh Province |
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Details of a report on hydrography for the 2010-2011 dry season by the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting at the 4th Seasonal Climate Outlook Forum held in Vinh Yen City, Vinh Phuc Province, on October 26-27, suggested another tough dry season would be coming.
During the 2010-2011 dry season, which lasts from October 2010 to the end of April 2011, water flow from Da River to Son La Lake could be 31% lower than that of previous years. It could be up to 55% lower for the water flow from Chay River to Thac Ba Lake. The flow rate at the lower section of the Red River and Thai Binh River are forecast to be between 30% and 45% lower than the average level of previous years, particularly in March and April of next year.
In February and March of 2011, the water level of Red River in Hanoi could take the record low of just 0.1 metres in 2010.
Big hydropower reservoirs are unlikely to be able to reserve efficient water, causing difficulties in power production in the season and many months later. The low water level is also predicted in rivers in the north-central, south-central and several other regions. The water flow in the Central Highlands only accounts for 40% of the average level of previous years. The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting also warned southern provinces of salt-water encroachment and fresh water deficiency. The climate forum was co-chaired by the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Services and the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) under the sponsorship of the American Red Cross. The event attracted 80 delegates from 30 local and foreign agencies.
(MONRE, 27/10/2010)
The forum is aimed to enhance information exchange between agencies which provide weather and natural disaster reports and those receiving them in an effort to raise efficiency of the reports and mitigate the disaster-caused losses.
Nam Hang