Vietnam urges stronger coordination with China on dam releases ahead of storm Matmo

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on Saturday signed an emergency directive ordering the foreign ministry and border provinces to strengthen information-sharing with Chinese authorities to avoid sudden and uncoordinated water releases from hydropower dams.

The directive, issued on behalf of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, also instructed ministries and provincial leaders to prepare for overlapping natural disasters, including heavy rains, flash floods, and landslides.

Matmo, the 11th storm to enter the East Vietnam Sea this year, is expected to make landfall between Vietnam's Quang Ninh Province and China's Guangxi region early on Monday, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

As of 8:00 am on Sunday, the storm was located about 400 km east-southeast of Mong Cai with maximum sustained winds of 118–149 kph and gusts up to 167 kph. 

By 7:00 pm, it is forecast to move closer to the northern Gulf of Tonkin, about 190 km offshore, with similar intensity.

Rainfall between 150 mm and 250 mm is forecast in northern mountainous and midland areas from Sunday night through Tuesday, with some locations expected to receive more than 400 mm, the center said. 

The Red River Delta and Thanh Hoa Province may receive 70–150 mm, with localized downpours exceeding 200 mm.

The government ordered the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to oversee water discharge from Thac Ba hydropower reservoir in Lao Cai Province, in coordination with dam operators and the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

The coastal provinces from Quang Ninh to Ninh Binh were told to prepare evacuation plans and ensure the safety of vessels at sea and residents in low-lying areas. 

Northern and north-central provinces were instructed to deploy emergency supplies and personnel in landslide-prone areas.

The directive also called for a review of urban drainage systems, dam safety protocols, and emergency power infrastructure.

Hanoi is not expected to be in the direct path of the storm, but authorities warned of thunderstorms, strong gusts, and rainfall of 70–120 mm from early Monday through Tuesday, with some areas receiving over 150 mm.