Việt Nam News Expert urges overhaul of reservoir operations as extreme storms intensify

Heavy rainfall puts immediate pressure on reservoirs, low-lying areas and irrigation systems. Extended downpours over two to three days reduce the ability of soil, forests and reservoirs to absorb water, sending excess flows directly into river basins and creating high flood peaks. The increasingly common phenomenon of 'double floods' ~ where a new flood hits before the previous one has receded ~ poses a particular challenge, as most Vietnamese reservoirs are still operated under a single-flood model that does not account for such events.

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Globally, managing double floods relies on advanced forecasting models and sophisticated operational methods to improve prevention and control of large reservoirs. Recently, many reservoirs designed for 500-year floods are facing events with a 1,000-year probability, far exceeding current standards, which only consider climate change within existing technical models. Viet Nam also lacks a professional hydrology and hydraulics advisory body to guide reservoir operations. In countries like Japan, hydrological agencies directly oversee operations and provide expert advice during the rainy season. If establishing a dedicated agency is not feasible, outsourcing forecasting services to specialised units could provide timely support for critical operational decisions.