The Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development have agreed to regulate water held in hydropower reservoirs power supplies and water for agricultural production activities.

Farmers water their plants in the central province of Quang Ngai. (Source: VNA)

Due to the low water volume flowing into hydropower reservoirs, power generation has decreased. Total hydropower production is estimated to be 55.3 billion kWh this year, about 4.5 billion kWh less than last year.

This year, water levels in some reservoirs in Central regions, the Central Highlands and Southern regions have been lower than normal due to low rainfall towards the end of the year, Nong Thon Ngay Nay (Countryside Today) newspaper reported.

About 4.86 billion cubic metres will be needed for agricultural activities during the 2015-2016 winter-spring rice crop.

Hydropower reservoirs in Son La, Hoa Binh-Thac Ba and Tuyen Quang will provide water needed for the 2015-2016 winter-spring rice crop season in the midlands and northern delta, according to EVN and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

In order to prevent droughts, saline intrusion and respond to the impacts of El Nino, EVN has directed related units to closely follow weather and climate patterns as well as water levels in hydropower reservoirs to ensure water security for electrical and agricultural production during the 2016 dry season.

The electricity sector will also use thermo-electric sources and schedule maintenance work for power plants in 2016, while expanding the national power grid in order to improve power transmission between regions.

EVN also said that the agriculture sector should have response measures in place in case of drought, and us water from hydropower reservoirs efficiently.

(Source: VNA)