Central province halts hydropower generation, latest to feel heat of El Nino in Vietnam

Facing a sharp drop in water inflows due to El Nino, the operator of the Dakdrinh hydropower plant in Quang Ngai Province has suspended electricity generation to conserve water, starting last Sunday.

Dakdrinh Hydropower JSC said the decision aims to prioritize water supplies for downstream communities along the Tra Khuc River, local agricultural production, and ongoing industrial operations in the Dung Quat Economic Zone.

With a design capacity of 248 million cubic meters, the Dakdrinh reservoir stands as the largest hydropower storage facility in eastern Quang Ngai.

According to Nguyen Duy Nghia, head of the company's technical department, inflows to the reservoir have averaged only about 20 cubic meters per second in recent days, well below historical averages.

Since the plant began operations in May 2014, reservoir inflows and storage levels have never been this low during the rainy season, he said.

The situation comes as a strong El Nino continues to affect weather patterns across Vietnam, reducing rainfall and threatening water supplies in the central region.

Meteorological agencies forecast the phenomenon will remain extremely strong through late 2026 and into early 2027.

Rainfall across central Vietnam in November is forecast to be 20-40 percent below the long-term average.

Reservoir near critical level

The Dakdrinh reservoir has a normal operating water level of 410 meters. As of last Saturday, however, the reservoir stood at only 377 meters, barely above the dead-water level of 375 meters.

To preserve water for the upcoming dry season, the operator halted electricity generation and began storing water. By Tuesday, the reservoir had recovered by about four meters to 379 meters, but remained 31 meters below its normal operating level.

Officials warned that if significant rainfall does not arrive soon, water accumulation efforts could be jeopardized.

Provincial authorities have moved to restrict power generation at Dakdrinh through November after its reservoir plunged to a dangerous low of 376.74 meters.

With November inflows projected at just 45 to 60 cubic meters per second, a complete shutdown is expected to restore water levels to over 400 meters by month-end.

Tran Phuoc Hien, vice-chairman of the Quang Ngai administration, said the priority is ensuring sufficient water supplies for residents, agriculture, and industrial production downstream.

From next month, generation schedules will be adjusted according to actual water conditions.

Water shortages spread beyond Quang Ngai

The effects of El Nino are being felt in several other provinces, cities in Vietnam.

In the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong, local authorities have been asked to assess irrigation needs, identify crops at risk from water shortages, and prepare plans for crop restructuring and drought adaptation.

Officials reported that rainfall last month declined sharply compared with the same period last year.

Daily rainfall across much of the province has generally remained below 10 millimeters since October 10, significantly reducing inflows into major reservoirs.

Many hydropower reservoirs serving the Dong Nai and Serepok river basins remain below desired storage levels despite being in the rainy season.

In the central city of Da Nang, authorities have also urged hydropower operators to prioritize water storage through the end of 2026 amid concerns that drought, water shortages, and saltwater intrusion could intensify during the 2027 dry season.

Several major hydropower reservoirs, including Dak Mi 3, Dak Mi 4, A Vuong, and Song Bung 4, are reportedly operating with water levels tens of meters below normal.

More than 700 reservoirs at risk

Vietnam's Department of Water Resources Management warned at a press briefing in mid-September that more than 700 hydropower reservoirs nationwide could fail to reach their designed storage levels because of El Nino.

Nguyen Manh Ha, deputy head of the department, said combined storage deficits could reach between 7.73 billion and 11 billion cubic meters.

River flows across most major watersheds declined by 10-75 percent between June and August, except in the Red River and Ma River systems.

Earlier forecasts from the Vietnam Meteorological and Hydrological Administration suggested that the 2026 El Nino could become the strongest in more than 70 years.

If those projections materialize, Vietnam faces above-average temperatures, fewer cold-air outbreaks, and widespread rainfall deficits, particularly in central Vietnam, the Central Highlands, and southern regions.