Red River is shallow in the eyes of scientists

The water level of the Red River passing through Hanoi is now the lowest in over 100 years, many places are bare. Many people believe that this is due to climate change, but scientists have a different view.

From mid-November until now, the water level across Hanoi has been continuously low, ranging from 1 - 1.5m. On December 10 morning, the water level at the deepest point was only 1.36 m, much lower than the same period last year.

Dr. Nguyen Huu Ninh, Director of the Center for Research, Environmental Education and Development, a scientist specializing in climate change research, said: 'Preventing water from making hydropower, deforestation . causes drought to be of course'.

Consider how to operate the hydroelectric reservoir

Several times of 'taking action' to understand the use of water resources, Ms. Do Hong Phan, Head of the Advisory Board for Collaborative Network for Vietnam said that this is a technical story in regulating water resources from Hydropower reservoir. The explanation by nature, or El Nino, is just an 'excuse' and also only works a very small part.

According to Ms. Phan, since the Hoa Binh hydropower plant went into operation (in 1988), the Red River has changed a lot. In accordance with the design, in the dry season, the head water flows down slowly, so the river never runs out.

In the flood season, water is retained in the lake, so the flood peak in the river is usually lower than normal. But it seems that the operation did not follow the design process.

The Red River, which runs through Hanoi, has many dry and dry places, people can travel along the river.

During one day and night, use less electricity at night and use more during the day. Hydropower must be regulated by about 0 am to 8-9 am to close the turbine, and at peak hours all turbines will be opened.

Thus, when closing the water outlet at night, the water is stagnant in the reservoir, the river will dry up at the end of the river. 'It should be done according to the design task, ensuring that there must be 600 m3 / s day, night of water discharge, even if the electricity demand is not high at night. But they did not do so. Technicians know this, ' said Phan.

Mr. Dang Duy Hien, Head of Irrigation Management Department, Irrigation Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said: The water source downstream of the rivers depends heavily on water resources from upstream. In the North, there are three rivers that supply water to the Red River: Da River, Lo River and Thao River. On these tributaries, there are also three hydroelectric reservoirs, Hoa Binh, Thac Ba and Tuyen Quang.

Hydropower generation will discharge much water into the river. However, currently the national power system can balance with thermal power, so hydroelectricity is running in moderation. Hydropower is accumulating water for the dry season, so it does not discharge water unjustly, they have to save water to generate electricity in the dry season. 'Hydropower generated very little, discharged a little water so the water level of the Red River was also low, ' Mr. Hien said.

Don't blame the climate change

Dr. Ninh said that the work of the Red River is not too difficult to understand. That is because people cut down the watershed forests, so the ability to keep water is no longer available. So in the flood season, floods are stronger and the drought season is even worse. Adding elements to the dam to make new hydropower leads to the depletion of the river like the past days.

Mr. Dinh Van Hung, Deputy Director of the Center for Environmental and Territorial Organizations (Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations) also said that it is impossible to blame climate change for the change of nature. has a very long cycle, can be up to hundreds of years. "The change of nature is yes, but not so obvious," Hung said.

Dr. Ninh said that in order to determine the specific cause of the low water level of the Red River, it is necessary to have a separate and precise study on the flow, the number of forests . and to consider for a long time. However, according to him, when water for electricity generation is not enough, it is difficult to discharge for other purposes. Therefore, it is necessary to review hydropower reservoirs and water use.