Decision No. 1892/QD-TTg On the Issuance of the Operation Procedures for Interconnected Reservoirs on the Dong Nai River Basin During the Annual Flood Season

Pursuant to …;

VREGARDING BIMPLEMENTATION OF THE OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR INTERCONNECTED RESERVOIRS IN THE DONG NAI RIVER BASIN DURING THE MONSOON SEASON

the flood season of the Dong Nai River Basin annually

______________________

 

PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated December 25, 2001;

BASED ON THE LAW ON WATER RESOURCES dated June 21, 2012;

Pursuant to the Law on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control dated June 19, 2013;

BASED ON THE GOVERNMENT DECREE NO. 112/2008/NĐ-CP dated October 20, 2008 on management, protection, and comprehensive exploitation of water resources and environmental protection for hydroelectric and irrigation reservoirs;

CONSIDERING THE PROPOSAL OF THE MINISTER OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT,

DECISION:

Article 1. ANNEXED TO THIS DECISION IS THE OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR INTERCONNECTED RESERVOIRS IN THE DONG NAI RIVER BASIN DURING THE MONSOON SEASON, INCLUDING THE RESERVOIRS: THAC MO, CAN DON, SROK PHU MIENG, PHUOC HOA, DON DUONG, DAI NINH, DONG NAI 2, DONG NAI 3, DONG NAI 4, DAK RTIH, DONG NAI 5, TRI AN, HAM THUAN, DA MI AND DAO TIENG.

Article 2. Implementation Provisions

1. This Decision shall take effect from January 1, 2015.

2. Any operating procedures for reservoirs issued before this Decision takes effect must be amended and supplemented to comply with this Decision.

3. When the Dong Nai 5 Reservoir accumulates water and operates, it must comply with the provisions of this Procedure.

Article 3. The Ministers of Natural Resources and Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development, Industry and Trade, Construction, Head of the Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and Control, Chairmen of People's Committees, Heads of Provincial Steering Committees for Flood and Storm Prevention and Search and Rescue in the provinces of Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Binh Thuan, Dong Nai, Dak Nong, Lam Dong, Tay Ninh, and Ho Chi Minh City, General Director of the National Hydro-Meteorological Center, Heads of units managing and operating the reservoirs, and related units are responsible for implementing this Decision.

 

 

 

 

PROCEDURE

 

VOPERATING INTERCONNECTED RESERVOIRS IN THE DONG NAI RIVER BASIN DURING THE MONSOON SEASON

(ANNEXED TO DECISION NO. 1892/QĐ-TTg dated October 10

20, 2014 of the Prime Minister LAW )

_____________

 

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. During the monsoon season, the reservoirs: Thac Mo, Can Don, Srak Phu Mieng, Phuoc Hoa, Don Duong, Dai Ninh, Dong Nai 2, Dong Nai 3, Dong Nai 4, Dak R’Tih, Dong Nai 5, Tri An, Ham Thuan, Da Mi and Dao Tieng in the Dong Nai River Basin must operate according to the following priority principles:

1. Ensuring safety of structures:

a) Ensuring absolute safety for the Dai Ninh Hydropower Project, not allowing the reservoir water level to exceed the flood control level for any flood smaller than or equal to the Probable Maximum Flood (PMF) with peak flow of 11,000 m³/s;³/s;

b) Ensuring absolute safety for the reservoirs: Dong Nai 2, Dong Nai 3, Dong Nai 4, Tri An and Dao Tieng, not allowing the reservoir water level to exceed the flood control level for any flood with a recurrence interval less than or equal to 5,000 years;

c) Ensuring absolute safety for the Ham Thuan Hydropower Project, not allowing the reservoir water level to exceed the flood control level for any flood with a recurrence interval less than or equal to 2,000 years;

d) Ensuring absolute safety for the reservoirs: Thac Mo, Can Don, Srak Phu Mieng, Phuoc Hoa, Don Duong, Dak R’Tih, Dong Nai 5 and Da Mi, not allowing the reservoir water level to exceed the flood control level or the raised water level for any flood with a recurrence interval less than or equal to 1,000 years.

2. Contributing to reducing floods downstream.

3. Ensuring power generation efficiency.

Article 2. The monsoon season in this Procedure is defined as follows:

1. From July 1 to November 30 for the reservoirs: Thac Mo, Can Don, Srak Phu Mieng, Phuoc Hoa, Dong Nai 2, Dong Nai 3, Dong Nai 4, Dak R’Tih, Dong Nai 5, Tri An, Ham Thuan, Da Mi and Dao Tieng.

2. From August 1 to December 31 for the reservoirs: Don Duong and Dai Ninh.

Article 3. The operation of discharge structures of the reservoirs must be carried out strictly in accordance with the operating procedure for discharge structures issued by the competent authority, to ensure stability for the main structures.

Article 4. Basic technical parameters of the reservoirs

Chapter II

OPERATING INTERCONNECTED RESERVOIRS IN THE DONG NAI RIVER BASIN DURING THE MONSOON SEASON

Article 5. PRINCIPLES FOR OPERATING RESERVOIRS TO REDUCE FLOODS DOWNSTREAM

1. It is not permitted to use the portion of reservoir capacity between the normal water level and the flood control level or the raised water level for flood regulation when the gates of the discharge structures have not been fully opened, except for the Dao Tieng Reservoir and special cases as decided by the Prime Minister or the Head of the Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and Control.

2. When operating to reduce floods downstream, the regulations on the sequence and method of opening and closing the gates of the discharge structures issued by the competent authority must be followed to ensure that no sudden, abnormal floods are created that directly threaten the lives and property of people living along the river downstream of the reservoir.

3. During the monsoon season specified in Article 2 of this Procedure, when not participating in operations to reduce floods downstream, the water levels in the reservoirs must not exceed the highest pre-flood water level specified in Table 2, except in the case stipulated in Article 17 of this Procedure.

4. During the operation period, continuous monitoring and updating of information on weather conditions, rainfall, floods; water levels at hydrological stations, tidal water levels; water levels, inflows to the reservoirs, and subsequent forecasts must be conducted to operate and regulate in accordance with actual conditions.

5. When the flood reduction process for downstream areas ends, the water level in the reservoir must gradually be returned to the pre-flood water level specified in Table 2, except in cases provided for in Article 17 of this Procedure.

Article 6. Provisions on reservoir water levels during the flood season.

1. The flood warning water levels corresponding to each alert level on the river at hydrological stations are specified in Table 1.

Table 1. Water levels corresponding to flood warning levels

2. The highest water level before the flood for the reservoirs during the flood season is specified in Table 2.

Table 2. Highest water level before the flood for the Thac Mo, Can Don, Dak R'Tih, Dong Nai 2, Dong Nai 3, Tri An, Ham Thuan, Don Duong, Dai Ninh, and Dau Tieng reservoirs during the flood season

3. The lowest water level for receiving floods for the reservoirs when participating in flood reduction for downstream areas is specified in Table 3.

Table 3. Lowest water level for receiving floods for the Thac Mo, Can Don, Dak R'Tih, Dong Nai 2, Dong Nai 3, Ham Thuan, Don Duong, and Dai Ninh reservoirs during the flood season

4. The water levels at hydrological stations for deciding the operation of reservoirs for flood reduction are specified in Table 4.

Table 4. Water levels at hydrological stations for deciding the operation of flood reduction for the Thac Mo, Can Don, Dak R'Tih, Dong Nai 2, Dong Nai 3, Tri An, Ham Thuan, and Dau Tieng reservoirs during the flood season

Article 7. Operation to reduce floodwater for downstream areas for the Thac Mo and Can Don reservoirs

1. Authority to decide on orders to operate the reservoirs during the flood season:

a) Under normal weather conditions, the Director of the unit managing and operating the reservoir proactively operates and regulates the reservoir, but must ensure that the reservoir water level does not exceed the value specified in Table 2, except in cases provided for in Article 17 of this Procedure;

b) When weather patterns as stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article or rain and flood situations as stipulated in Clauses 3, 4, and 5 of this Article occur, the Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood Control and Search and Rescue (hereinafter referred to as the Steering Committee for Flood Control and Search and Rescue) of Binh Phuoc Province decides on the operation of the reservoirs.

2. Operation to lower the reservoir water level to receive floods:

When the National Hydro-meteorological Center forecasts an urgent typhoon, tropical depression near the coast, or other weather patterns capable of causing rain and floods that may directly affect the areas within the Dong Nai River basin within 24 to 48 hours, the Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood Control and Search and Rescue of Binh Phuoc Province bases on the assessment of weather conditions from the Hydro-meteorological Centers in the Bé River basin to consider and decide on the operation of the reservoirs as follows:

a) In case the reservoir water level exceeds the value specified in Table 3:

- When the water level at the Phuoc Hoa Hydrological Station is above Warning Level I and below the value specified in Table 4, regulate with discharge flow equal to the inflow to maintain the current water level of the reservoir;

- When the water level at the Phuoc Hoa Hydrological Station is below Warning Level I, regulate with discharge flow greater than the inflow to gradually lower the reservoir water level, but not lower than the value specified in Table 3. During the operation, if the water level at the Phuoc Hoa Hydrological Station exceeds Warning Level I and is below the value specified in Table 4, regulate with discharge flow equal to the inflow to maintain the current water level of the reservoir.

b) In case the reservoir water level is less than the value specified in Table 3, the reservoir owner is permitted to regulate water, but must ensure that the reservoir water level does not exceed the value specified in Table 3;

c) During the operation according to Points a and b of this Clause, based on the forecast bulletin of the National Hydro-meteorological Center and the assessment of weather conditions from the Hydro-meteorological Centers in the localities, if the weather patterns capable of causing rain and floods no longer have the potential to directly affect the areas within the Bé River basin, regulate to gradually return the reservoir water level to the value specified in Table 2.

3. When the process of regulating the reservoir water level to receive floods according to Point a and Point b of Clause 2 of this Article ends and the conditions for reducing floods for downstream areas as stipulated in Clause 4 of this Article have not yet appeared, operate the reservoir with discharge flow equal to the inflow to maintain the current water level of the reservoir and prepare to switch to the flood reduction operation mode for downstream areas upon order from the Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood Control and Search and Rescue of Binh Phuoc Province.

4. Operation to reduce floods for downstream areas:

a) When the water level at the Phuoc Hoa Hydrological Station exceeds the value specified in Table 4, the Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood Control and Search and Rescue of Binh Phuoc Province decides to operate the reservoirs with discharge flow less than the inflow to reduce floods for downstream areas but must ensure that the reservoir water level does not exceed the normal water level;

b) When the reservoir water level reaches the normal water level, regulate the reservoir with discharge flow equal to the inflow.

5. Operation to return the reservoir water level to the highest pre-flood level:

a) When the water level at the Phuoc Hoa Hydrological Station drops below Warning Level I, the Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood Control and Search and Rescue of Binh Phuoc Province decides to regulate with discharge flow greater than the inflow to gradually return the reservoir water level to the value specified in Table 2;

b) During the operation, if the water level at the Phuoc Hoa Hydrological Station reaches Warning Level I, regulate to maintain the current water level of the reservoir.

6. In extraordinary situations, the Chairman of the People's Committee of Binh Phuoc Province decides on the operation of the Thac Mo and Can Don reservoirs.

Article 8. Operation to reduce floods for downstream areas for the Don Duong and Dai Ninh reservoirs

1. Authority to decide on orders to operate the reservoirs during the flood season:

a) Under normal weather conditions, the Director of the unit managing and operating the reservoir proactively operates and regulates the reservoir, but must ensure that the reservoir water level does not exceed the value specified in Table 2, except in cases provided for in Article 17 of this Procedure;

b) When weather patterns as stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article or rain and flood situations as stipulated in Clauses 3, 4, and 5 of this Article occur, the Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood Control and Search and Rescue of Lam Dong Province decides on the operation of the reservoirs.

2. Operation to lower the reservoir water level to receive floods:

When the National Hydro-meteorological Center forecasts an urgent typhoon, tropical depression near the coast, or other weather patterns capable of causing rain and floods that may directly affect the areas within the Dong Nai River basin within 24 to 48 hours, the Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood Control and Search and Rescue of Lam Dong Province bases on the assessment of weather conditions from the Hydro-meteorological Centers in the localities to consider and decide on the operation of the reservoirs as follows:

a) For the Don Duong reservoir:

- In case the water level in the reservoir exceeds the value specified in Table 3:

+ When the inflow to the reservoir is less than 200 m³/s, operate with an outflow greater than the inflow but not exceeding 300 m³/s to gradually lower the water level in the reservoir, but not below the value specified in Table 3;³/s, operate to regulate with discharge greater than inflow but not exceeding 300 m³/s, to gradually lower the reservoir water level, but not below the value specified in Table 3;

+ When the inflow to the reservoir is more than 200 m³/s and less than 350 m³/s, operate with an outflow equal to the inflow to maintain the current water level in the reservoir. During operation, if the inflow exceeds 350 m³/s, switch to flood reduction mode for downstream areas as provided in Clause 4 of this Article.³/s and less than 350 m³/s, operate to regulate with discharge equal to inflow to maintain the current reservoir water level. During operation, if the inflow exceeds 350 m³- In case the water level in the reservoir is below the value specified in Table 3, the reservoir owner is permitted to operate to regulate water levels, but must ensure that the water level does not exceed the value specified in Table 3.

b) For the Dai Ninh Reservoir:

+ When the inflow to the reservoir is less than 300 m³/s, operate with an outflow greater than the inflow to gradually lower the water level in the reservoir, but not below the value specified in Table 3;

- In case the water level in the reservoir exceeds the value specified in Table 3:

+ When the inflow is less than 300 m³/s, operate to regulate with discharge greater than inflow to gradually lower the reservoir water level, but not below the value specified in Table 3;

+ When the inflow to the reservoir is more than 300 m³/s and less than 420 m³/s, operate with an outflow equal to the inflow to maintain the current water level in the reservoir. During operation, if the inflow exceeds 420 m³/s, switch to flood reduction mode for downstream areas as provided in Clause 4 of this Article.³c) During operation according to Point a and Point b of this Clause, based on the forecast bulletin from the National Hydro-Meteorological Center and the assessment of weather conditions by local hydro-meteorological centers, if weather patterns capable of causing rain and floods no longer have the potential to directly affect areas within the Don Nhim River basin, operate to gradually bring the water level in the reservoir back to the value specified in Table 2.³3. When the process of regulating the water level in the reservoir to receive floods as prescribed in Point a and Point b of Clause 2 of this Article ends and the conditions for operating to reduce floods for downstream areas as prescribed in Clause 4 of this Article have not yet appeared, operate the reservoir with an outflow equal to the inflow to maintain the current water level in the reservoir and be ready to switch to flood reduction mode for downstream areas upon order from the Head of the Provincial Flood Control and Storm Prevention Command Board of Lam Dong Province.³- In case the water level in the reservoir is below the value specified in Table 3, the reservoir owner is permitted to operate to regulate water levels, but must ensure that the water level does not exceed the value specified in Table 3.

b) For the Dai Ninh Reservoir:

- When the inflow to the reservoir exceeds 350 m³/s, the Head of the Provincial Flood Control and Storm Prevention Command Board of Lam Dong Province decides to operate with an outflow less than the inflow to reduce floods for downstream areas, but must ensure that the water level in the reservoir does not exceed the normal water level.

3. When the process of operating to regulate the reservoir water level to receive floods as prescribed in Point a, Point b Clause 2 of this Article has ended and the conditions for operating to reduce floods downstream as prescribed in Clause 4 of this Article have not yet appeared, operate the reservoir with discharge equal to inflow to maintain the current reservoir water level and be ready to switch to the operation mode to reduce floods downstream when instructed by the Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention of Lam Dong Province.

4. Operation to reduce floods for downstream areas:

a) For the Don Duong reservoir:

- When the water level in the reservoir reaches the normal water level, operate with an outflow equal to the inflow.³- When the inflow to the reservoir exceeds 420 m³/s,

- When the reservoir water level reaches the normal high water level, operate to regulate with discharge equal to inflow.

+ When the inflow to the reservoir is less than 300 m³/s, operate with an outflow greater than the inflow to gradually lower the water level in the reservoir, but not below the value specified in Table 3;

- When the inflow to the reservoir is less than 200 m³/s, the Head of the Provincial Flood Control and Storm Prevention Command Board of Lam Dong Province decides to operate the reservoir with an outflow greater than the inflow but not exceeding 300 m³/s to gradually bring the water level in the reservoir back to the value specified in Table 2;³- When the inflow to the reservoir exceeds 420 m³/s,

- When the reservoir water level reaches the normal high water level, operate to regulate with discharge equal to inflow.

5. Operation to return the reservoir water level to the highest pre-flood level:

a) For the Don Duong reservoir:

- When the inflow is less than 200 m³/s, the Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention of Lam Dong Province decides to operate the reservoir with discharge greater than inflow, but not exceeding 300 m³- During operation, if the inflow to the reservoir exceeds 200 m³/s, operate with an outflow equal to the inflow to maintain the current water level in the reservoir.

- When the inflow to the reservoir is less than 300 m³/s, the Head of the Provincial Flood Control and Storm Prevention Command Board of Lam Dong Province decides to operate the reservoir with an outflow greater than the inflow to gradually bring the water level in the reservoir back to the value specified in Table 2;³/s, then operate to regulate with discharge equal to inflow to maintain the current reservoir water level.

+ When the inflow to the reservoir is less than 300 m³/s, operate with an outflow greater than the inflow to gradually lower the water level in the reservoir, but not below the value specified in Table 3;

- When the inflow is less than 300 m³- During operation, if the inflow to the reservoir exceeds 300 m³/s, operate with an outflow equal to the inflow to maintain the current water level in the reservoir.

6. In extraordinary situations, the Chairman of the People's Committee of Lam Dong Province decides the operation of the Son La and Dai Ninh reservoirs.³/s, then operate to regulate with discharge equal to inflow to maintain the current reservoir water level.

Operate to reduce floods for downstream areas for the Dong Nai 2, Dong Nai 3, and Dak Ritih reservoirs.

Article 9. b) When weather patterns as specified in Clause 2 of this Article or rain and flood situations as specified in Clauses 3, 4, and 5 of this Article appear, the Head of the Provincial Flood Control and Storm Prevention Command Board of Lam Dong Province decides the operation of the Dong Nai 2 and Dong Nai 3 reservoirs; the Head of the Provincial Flood Control and Storm Prevention Command Board of Dak Nong Province decides the operation of the Dak Ritih reservoir.

1. Authority to decide on orders to operate the reservoirs during the flood season:

a) Under normal weather conditions, the Director of the unit managing and operating the reservoir proactively operates and regulates the reservoir, but must ensure that the reservoir water level does not exceed the value specified in Table 2, except in cases provided for in Article 17 of this Procedure;

When the National Hydro-Meteorological Center forecasts an urgent typhoon, near-shore tropical depression, or other weather patterns capable of causing rain and floods that may directly affect areas within the Dong Nai River basin within 24 to 48 hours, the Head of the Provincial Flood Control and Storm Prevention Command Board of Lam Dong Province bases their decision on the assessment of weather conditions by local hydro-meteorological centers and decides the operation of the Dong Nai 2 and Dong Nai 3 reservoirs; the Head of the Provincial Flood Control and Storm Prevention Command Board of Dak Nong Province bases their decision on the assessment of weather conditions by local hydro-meteorological centers and decides the operation of the Dak Ritih reservoir as follows:

2. Operation to lower the reservoir water level to receive floods:

- When the water level at the Tala Station is above Warning Level II but below the value specified in Table 4, operate with an outflow equal to the inflow to maintain the current water level in the reservoir;

a) In case the reservoir water level exceeds the value specified in Table 3:

- When the water level at the Tala Station is below Warning Level II, operate with an outflow greater than the inflow to gradually lower the water level in the reservoir, but not below the value specified in Table 3. During operation, if the water level at the Tala Station exceeds Warning Level II but remains below the value specified in Table 4, operate with an outflow equal to the inflow to maintain the current water level in the reservoir.

c) During operation according to Point a and Point b of this Clause, based on the forecast bulletin from the National Hydro-Meteorological Center and the assessment of weather conditions by local hydro-meteorological centers, if weather patterns capable of causing rain and floods no longer have the potential to directly affect Lam Dong Province and Dak Nong Province, operate to gradually bring the water level in the reservoir back to the value specified in Table 2.

b) In case the reservoir water level is less than the value specified in Table 3, the reservoir owner is permitted to regulate water, but must ensure that the reservoir water level does not exceed the value specified in Table 3;

3. When the process of regulating the water level in the reservoir to receive floods as prescribed in Point a and Point b of Clause 2 of this Article ends and the conditions for operating to reduce floods for downstream areas as prescribed in Clause 4 of this Article have not yet appeared, operate the reservoir with an outflow equal to the inflow to maintain the current water level in the reservoir and be ready to switch to flood reduction mode for downstream areas upon order from the Head of the Provincial Flood Control and Storm Prevention Command Board of Lam Dong Province for the Dong Nai 2 and Dong Nai 3 reservoirs; the Head of the Provincial Flood Control and Storm Prevention Command Board of Dak Nong Province for the Dak Ritih reservoir.

a) For the Dong Nai 2 and Dong Nai 3 reservoirs:

4. Operation to reduce floods for downstream areas:

a) For the Dong Nai 2 and Dong Nai 3 reservoirs:

- When the water level at the Tà Lài Hydrological Station exceeds the value specified in Table 4, the Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention in Lâm Đồng Province decides to operate with a discharge flow rate smaller than the inflow rate to the reservoir to reduce flooding downstream, but must ensure that the reservoir water level does not exceed the normal water level elevation;

- When the reservoir water level reaches the normal water level, the reservoirs operate with a discharge flow rate equal to the inflow rate to the reservoir.

b) For the Đăk R’Tih Reservoir:

- When the water level at the Tà Lài Hydrological Station exceeds the value specified in Table 4, the Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention in Đắk Nông Province decides to operate with a discharge flow rate smaller than the inflow rate to the reservoir to reduce flooding downstream, but must ensure that the reservoir water level does not exceed the normal water level elevation;

- When the reservoir water level reaches the normal water level, the reservoirs operate with a discharge flow rate equal to the inflow rate to the reservoir.

5. Operation to return the reservoir water level to the highest pre-flood level:

a) When the water level at the Tà Lài Hydrological Station falls below the Level 1 Warning Level, the Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention in Lâm Đồng Province decides on the operation and regulation of the Đồng Nai 2 and Đồng Nai 3 Reservoirs; the Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention in Đắk Nông Province decides on the operation and regulation of the Đăk R’Tih Reservoir with a discharge flow rate larger than the inflow rate to the reservoir to gradually bring the reservoir water level back to the value specified in Table 2;

b) During the operation process, if the water level at the Tà Lài Hydrological Station reaches the Level 2 Warning Level, regulate the operation to maintain the current water level of the reservoir.

6. In extraordinary situations, the Chairman of the People's Committee of Lâm Đồng Province decides on the operation of the Đồng Nai 2 and Đồng Nai 3 Reservoirs; the Chairman of the People's Committee of Đắk Nông Province decides on the operation of the Đăk R’Tih Reservoir.

Article 10. Operation to reduce flooding downstream for the Hàm Thuận Reservoir

1. Authority to decide on orders to operate the reservoirs during the flood season:

a) Under normal weather conditions, the Director of the unit managing and operating the reservoir proactively operates and regulates the reservoir, but must ensure that the reservoir water level does not exceed the value specified in Table 2, except in cases provided for in Article 17 of this Procedure;

b) When weather patterns as specified in Clause 2 of this Article or rain and flood situations as specified in Clauses 3, 4, and Clause 5 of this Article appear, the Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention in Bình Thuận Province decides on the operation of the reservoir.

2. Operation to lower the reservoir water level to receive floods:

When the National Hydro-meteorological Center forecasts an urgent typhoon, tropical depression near the coast, or other weather patterns capable of causing rain and floods that may directly affect localities within the Đồng Nai River Basin within 24 to 48 hours, the Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention in Bình Thuận Province bases on the weather situation assessment of the Hydro-meteorological Centers in localities within the La Ngà River Basin to consider and decide on the operation of the reservoir as follows:

a) In case the reservoir water level exceeds the value specified in Table 3:

- When the water level at the Tà Pao Hydrological Station is above the Level 2 Warning Level and below the value specified in Table 4, operate with a discharge flow rate equal to the inflow rate to the reservoir to maintain the current water level of the reservoir;

- When the water level at the Tà Pao Hydrological Station is below the Level 2 Warning Level, operate with a discharge flow rate larger than the inflow rate to the reservoir to gradually lower the reservoir water level, but not lower than the value specified in Table 3. During the operation process, if the water level at the Tà Pao Hydrological Station exceeds the Level 2 Warning Level and is below the value specified in Table 4, operate with a discharge flow rate equal to the inflow rate to the reservoir to maintain the current water level of the reservoir.

b) In case the reservoir water level is less than the value specified in Table 3, the reservoir owner is permitted to regulate water, but must ensure that the reservoir water level does not exceed the value specified in Table 3;

c) During the operation according to Point a and Point b of this Clause, based on the forecast bulletin of the National Hydro-meteorological Center and the weather situation assessment of the Hydro-meteorological Centers in localities, if the weather patterns capable of causing rain and floods no longer have the potential to directly affect localities within the La Ngà River Basin, operate to gradually bring the reservoir water level back to the value specified in Table 2.

3. When the process of regulating the reservoir water level to receive floods as stipulated in Point a and Point b of Clause 2 of this Article ends, but the conditions for operating to reduce flooding downstream as stipulated in Clause 4 of this Article have not yet appeared, operate the reservoir with a discharge flow rate equal to the inflow rate to the reservoir to maintain the current water level of the reservoir and be ready to switch to the operation mode to reduce flooding downstream upon the order of the Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention in Bình Thuận Province.

4. Operation to reduce floods for downstream areas:

a) When the water level at the Tà Pao Hydrological Station exceeds the value specified in Table 4, the Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention in Bình Thuận Province decides to operate with a discharge flow rate smaller than the inflow rate to the reservoir to reduce flooding downstream, but must ensure that the reservoir water level does not exceed the normal water level elevation;

b) When the reservoir water level reaches the normal water level, operate with a discharge flow rate equal to the inflow rate to the reservoir.

5. Operation to return the reservoir water level to the highest pre-flood level:

a) When the water level at the Tà Pao Hydrological Station falls below the Level 1 Warning Level, the Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention in Bình Thuận Province decides on the operation and regulation with a discharge flow rate larger than the inflow rate to the reservoir to gradually bring the reservoir water level back to the value specified in Table 2;

b) During the operation process, if the water level at the Tà Pao Hydrological Station reaches the Level 2 Warning Level, operate to maintain the current water level of the reservoir.

6. In extraordinary situations, the Chairman of the People's Committee of Bình Thuận Province decides on the operation of the Hàm Thuận Reservoir.

Article 11. Operation to reduce flooding downstream for the Trị An Reservoir

1. Authority to decide on orders to operate the reservoirs during the flood season:

a) Under normal weather conditions, the Director of the unit managing and operating the reservoir proactively operates and regulates the reservoir, but must ensure that the reservoir water level does not exceed the value specified in Table 2, except in cases provided for in Article 17 of this Procedure;

b) When the National Hydro-meteorological Center forecasts an urgent typhoon, tropical depression near the coast, or other weather patterns capable of causing rain and floods or the appearance of floods directly affecting localities within the Đồng Nai River Basin, the Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention in Hồ Chí Minh City bases on the weather situation assessment of the Hydro-meteorological Centers in localities within the Đồng Nai River Basin to consider and decide on the operation of the reservoir.

2. Operation to reduce flooding downstream:

When weather patterns as specified in Point b of Clause 1 of this Article appear, the Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention in Hồ Chí Minh City decides on the operation of the reservoir as follows:

a) When the water level at the Biên Hòa Hydrological Station or the Phú An Hydrological Station reaches the value specified in Table 4, the Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention in Hồ Chí Minh City decides to operate the reservoir with a discharge flow rate smaller than the inflow rate to the reservoir to reduce flooding downstream, but must ensure that the reservoir water level does not exceed the normal water level elevation;

b) When the reservoir water level reaches the normal water level, operate with a discharge flow rate equal to the inflow rate to the reservoir.

3. Operation to bring the reservoir water level back to the highest level before the flood:

a) When the water level at the Biên Hòa Hydrological Station falls below the value of 1.4 meters and the Phú An Hydrological Station falls below the value of 1.2 meters, the Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention in Hồ Chí Minh City decides on the operation and regulation with a discharge flow rate larger than the inflow rate to the reservoir to gradually bring the reservoir water level back to the value specified in Table 2;

b) When the water level at the Bien Hoa Hydrological Station reaches 1.4 meters or at the Phu An Hydrological Station reaches 1.2 meters, operate to maintain the current water level of the reservoir.

4. In extraordinary situations, the Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City decides on the operation of the Tri An Reservoir.

Article 12. Operation to reduce flood for downstream areas for the Da Lat Reservoir

1. Authority to decide on orders to operate the reservoirs during the flood season:

a) Under normal weather conditions, the Director of the management and operation unit proactively operates regulation, but must ensure that the water level of the reservoir does not exceed the value specified in Table 2, except in cases provided for in Article 17 of this Procedure, but must ensure that the discharge flow to the downstream area does not exceed 200 m³/s;

b) When the National Hydro-Meteorological Center forecasts an urgent typhoon, tropical depression near the coast, or other weather patterns capable of causing rain and floods or appearing floods directly affecting localities within the Dong Nai River basin, the Head of the Flood Control and Storm Prevention Steering Board of Ho Chi Minh City bases on the assessment of weather conditions from the hydro-meteorological centers of localities within the Sai Gon River basin to consider and decide on the operation of the reservoir.

2. Operation to reduce flooding downstream:

When weather patterns as specified in Point b of Clause 1 of this Article appear, the Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention in Hồ Chí Minh City decides on the operation of the reservoir as follows:

a) When the water level at the Phu An Hydrological Station reaches the value specified in Table 4, operate the reservoir with a discharge flow less than the inflow to the reservoir to reduce flooding for downstream areas, but must ensure that the discharge flow does not exceed 200 m³/s and the water level of the reservoir does not exceed the elevation of 25.1 m;

b) When the water level of the reservoir reaches the elevation of 25.1 m and continues to rise, switch to operating mode to ensure safety of the works as prescribed in Article 14 of this Procedure.

3. Operation to bring the reservoir water level back to the highest level before the flood:

a) When the water level at the Phu An Hydrological Station falls below the value of 1.2 m, the Head of the Flood Control and Storm Prevention Steering Board of Ho Chi Minh City decides to operate the reservoir with a discharge flow greater than the inflow to the reservoir, but not exceeding 200 m³/s to gradually bring the water level of the reservoir back to the value specified in Table 2;

b) During the operation process, if the water level at the Phu An Hydrological Station reaches the value of 1.2 m, regulate the discharge flow equal to or less than the inflow to the reservoir and must ensure that the discharge flow does not exceed 200 m³/s.

4. In extraordinary situations, the Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City decides on the operation of the Da Lat Reservoir.

Article 13. Operation of the Srok Phu Mieng, Phuoc Hoa, Dong Nai 4, Dong Nai 5, and Da Mi Reservoirs

1. The Srok Phu Mieng and Phuoc Hoa Reservoirs: During the process where the Thac Mo and Can Don Reservoirs operate to reduce flooding for downstream areas according to this Procedure, they must operate to maintain the water level of the reservoir not exceeding the normal water level.

2. The Dong Nai 4 and Dong Nai 5 Reservoirs: During the process where the Don Duong, Dai Ninh, Dong Nai 2, Dong Nai 3, and Dak Rit Reservoirs operate to reduce flooding for downstream areas according to this Procedure, they must operate to maintain the water level of the reservoir not exceeding the normal water level.

3. The Da Mi Reservoir: During the process where the Ham Thuan Reservoir operates to reduce flooding for downstream areas according to this Procedure, it must operate to maintain the water level of the reservoir not exceeding the normal water level.

Article 14. Operation to ensure safety of the works

1. For the Thac Mo, Can Don, Srok Phu Mieng, Phuoc Hoa, Don Duong, Dai Ninh, Dong Nai 2, Dong Nai 3, Dong Nai 4, Dak Rit, Dong Nai 5, Tri An, Ham Thuan, and Da Mi Reservoirs: when the water level of the reservoir reaches the normal water level, and the flood inflow to the reservoir continues to increase and has the potential to affect the safety of the works, implement the operation mode to ensure safety of the works according to the Operating Procedures of the reservoirs issued by competent authorities.

2. For the Da Lat Reservoir: when the water level of the reservoir reaches the elevation of 25.1 m, and the flood inflow to the reservoir continues to increase and has the potential to affect the safety of the works, implement the operation mode to ensure safety of the works according to the Operating Procedures of the reservoirs issued by competent authorities.

Article 15. When not participating in operations to reduce flooding for downstream areas, the Don Duong, Dai Ninh, Dak Rit, and Dong Nai 2 Reservoirs must operate to ensure maintenance of flow after the dam as follows:

1. Upon request of the People's Committee of Lam Dong Province, the Don Duong and Dai Ninh Reservoirs must release water through the dam to the downstream area according to the request.

2. The Dak Rit Reservoir must ensure continuous discharge flow through the upper-level regulating culvert not less than 0.8 m³/s and through the lower-level regulating culvert not less than 1.2 m³/s.

3. The Dong Nai 2 Reservoir must ensure continuous discharge flow after the dam not less than 4 m³/s.

Article 16. When the National Hydro-Meteorological Center warns of the possibility of large floods outside the time period specified in Article 2 of this Procedure, the Head of the Flood Control and Storm Prevention Steering Board of the provincial level decides on the operation of the reservoirs according to this Procedure as follows:

1. Province of Binh Phuoc for the Thac Mo and Can Don Reservoirs.

2. Province of Lam Dong for the Don Duong, Dai Ninh, Dong Nai 2, and Dong Nai 3 Reservoirs.

3. Province of Dak Nong for the Dak Rit Reservoir.

4. Province of Binh Thuan for the Ham Thuan Reservoir.

5. Ho Chi Minh City for the Tri An and Da Lat Reservoirs.

Article 17. End-of-flood season water storage

1. Based on the assessment of weather and hydrological trends from the National Hydro-Meteorological Center, if there is no weather pattern capable of causing rain and floods within the watershed, the reservoir owner is permitted to proactively store water to gradually bring the water level of the reservoir back to the normal water level during the following periods:

a) From October 10 to November 30 each year for the Thac Mo, Can Don, Dak Rit, Dong Nai 2, Dong Nai 3, Ham Thuan, and Tri An Reservoirs;

b) From October 20 to December 31 each year for the Don Duong and Dai Ninh Reservoirs;

c) From November 1 to November 30 each year for the Da Lat Reservoir.

2. During the period when the reservoirs store water according to Clause 1 of this Article, if the National Hydro-Meteorological Center forecasts an urgent typhoon, tropical depression near the coast, or other weather patterns capable of causing rain and floods, which may directly affect localities within the Dong Nai River basin within 24 to 48 hours, the Head of the Flood Control and Storm Prevention Steering Board of the provincial level decides on the operation of the reservoirs as follows:

a) Province of Binh Phuoc decides on the operation to lower the water level of the Thac Mo and Can Don Reservoirs to prepare for floods according to Clause 2 of Article 7, but not lower than the value specified in Table 2, and operate to reduce flooding for downstream areas according to Clauses 3 and 4 of Article 7 of this Procedure;

b) The province of Lam Dong shall decide on the operation to lower the water levels of the Don Duong, Dai Ninh, Dong Nai 2, and Dong Nai 3 reservoirs to receive floods according to Clause 2 Article 8 and Article 9, but not below the value specified in Table 2, and operate to reduce floods for downstream areas according to Clause 3 and Clause 4 Article 8 and Article 9 of this Procedure;

c) The province of Dak Nong shall decide on the operation to lower the water level of the Dak R’Tih reservoir to receive floods according to Clause 2 Article 9, but not below the value specified in Table 2, and operate to reduce floods for downstream areas according to Clause 3 and Clause 4 Article 9 of this Procedure;

d) The province of Binh Thuan shall decide on the operation to lower the water level of the Ham Thuan reservoir according to Clause 2 Article 10, but not below the value specified in Table 2, and operate to reduce floods for downstream areas according to Clause 3 and Clause 4 Article 10 of this Procedure;

đ) The city of Ho Chi Minh shall decide on the operation of the Tri An and Dau Tieng reservoirs according to Clause 2 Article 11 and Article 12 of this Procedure;

e) During the operation process as stipulated in Points a, b, c, d, and Point đ of this Clause, based on the forecast bulletin of the National Hydro-meteorological Center, if weather patterns capable of causing rain and floods no longer have the potential to directly affect localities within the Dong Nai River basin, then gradually adjust the reservoir water level back to the normal water level.

3. When the flood reduction process for downstream areas ends, if there is no subsequent warning or forecast bulletin from the National Hydro-meteorological Center as prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article, the reservoirs are permitted to accumulate water, but not exceeding the normal water level.

Chapter III

REGULATIONS ON RESPONSIBILITIES AND ORGANIZATION OF RESERVOIR OPERATIONS AND INFORMATION REPORTING

Article 18. Responsibilities of the Heads of the Steering Committees for Flood Control and Storm Prevention at all levels in the provinces of Binh Phuoc, Lam Dong, Binh Thuan, Dong Nai, Tay Ninh, Binh Duong, Dak Nong, and the city of Ho Chi Minh

1. The Head of the Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention in the province of Binh Phuoc shall decide and direct the operation of the Thac Mo and Can Don reservoirs with the following responsibilities:

a) Organize continuous monitoring, closely tracking rainfall and flood developments, deciding on adjustment plans, and issuing operational orders for the reservoirs according to Article 7, Article 16, and Article 17 of this Procedure. Issuing operational orders for the reservoirs according to Article 7 and Article 17 of this Procedure must be at least four hours before the implementation time, except in urgent or unusual cases;

b) Inspect and supervise the execution of operational orders for the reservoirs, directing the implementation of measures to respond to floods and handling situations affecting the safety of residents in downstream areas when the reservoirs release water;

c) Upon issuing operational orders for the reservoirs, immediately notify the Head of the Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention in the province of Binh Duong, the Head of the Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention at the district level where there is a possibility of being affected by floods due to reservoir operations; simultaneously notify the Southern Regional Hydro-meteorological Station, the Central Forecasting Hydro-meteorological Center, and report to the Chairman of the People's Committee of Binh Phuoc Province;

d) In case of unexpected incidents, promptly report to the Chairmen of the People's Committees of Binh Phuoc, Binh Duong Provinces, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade for timely guidance on handling measures, while reporting to the Central Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention for direction and coordination in flood prevention and control work;

2. The Head of the Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention in the province of Lam Dong shall decide and direct the operation of the Don Duong, Dai Ninh, Dong Nai 2, and Dong Nai 3 reservoirs with the following responsibilities:

a) Organize continuous monitoring, closely tracking rainfall and flood developments, deciding on adjustment plans, and issuing operational orders for the reservoirs according to Article 8, Article 9, Article 16, and Article 17 of this Procedure. Issuing operational orders for the reservoirs according to Article 8, Article 9, and Article 17 of this Procedure must be at least four hours before the implementation time, except in urgent or unusual cases;

b) Inspect and supervise the execution of operational orders for the reservoirs, directing the implementation of measures to respond to floods and handling situations affecting the safety of residents in downstream areas when the reservoirs release water;

c) Upon issuing operational orders for the reservoirs, immediately notify the Heads of the Steering Committees for Flood Control and Storm Prevention in the provinces of Dak Nong, Binh Phuoc, Dong Nai, the Head of the Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention at the district level where there is a possibility of being affected by floods due to reservoir operations; simultaneously notify the Southern Regional Hydro-meteorological Station, the Western Highlands Regional Hydro-meteorological Station, the Central Forecasting Hydro-meteorological Center, and report to the Chairman of the People's Committee of Lam Dong Province;

d) In case of unexpected incidents, promptly report to the Chairmen of the People's Committees of Lam Dong, Dak Nong, Binh Phuoc, and Dong Nai Provinces, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade for timely guidance on handling measures, while reporting to the Central Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention for direction and coordination in flood prevention and control work;

3. The Head of the Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention in the province of Binh Thuan shall decide and direct the operation of the Ham Thuan reservoir with the following responsibilities:

a) Organize continuous monitoring, closely tracking rainfall and flood developments, deciding on adjustment plans, and issuing operational orders for the reservoir according to Article 10, Article 16, and Article 17 of this Procedure. Issuing operational orders for the reservoir according to Article 10 and Article 17 of this Procedure must be at least four hours before the implementation time, except in urgent or unusual cases;

b) Inspect and supervise the execution of operational orders for the reservoir, directing the implementation of measures to respond to floods and handling situations affecting the safety of residents in downstream areas when the reservoir releases water;

c) Upon issuing operational orders for the reservoir, immediately notify the Head of the Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention in the province of Dong Nai, the Head of the Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention at the district level where there is a possibility of being affected by floods due to reservoir operations; simultaneously notify the Southern Central Regional Hydro-meteorological Station, the Central Forecasting Hydro-meteorological Center, and report to the Chairman of the People's Committee of Binh Thuan Province;

d) In case of unexpected incidents, promptly report to the Chairmen of the People's Committees of Binh Thuan and Dong Nai Provinces, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade for timely guidance on handling measures, while reporting to the Central Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention for direction and coordination in flood prevention and control work;

4. The Head of the Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention in the province of Dak Nong shall decide and direct the operation of the Dak R’Tih reservoir with the following responsibilities:

a) Organize permanent monitoring of rainfall and flood developments, decide on regulation plans, and issue operation orders for reservoirs in accordance with Articles 9, 16, and 17 of this Procedure. The issuance of operation orders for reservoirs as stipulated in Articles 9 and 17 of this Procedure must be at least four hours before the implementation time, except in urgent and unusual cases;

b) Inspect and supervise the execution of operational orders for the reservoir, directing the implementation of measures to respond to floods and handling situations affecting the safety of residents in downstream areas when the reservoir releases water;

c) When issuing operation orders for reservoirs, immediately notify the Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention in Lam Dong Province, the Heads of District Steering Committees for Flood Control and Storm Prevention within areas potentially affected by floods due to reservoir operations; simultaneously inform the Southern Meteorological and Hydrological Station, the Central Highlands Meteorological and Hydrological Station, the Central Forecasting Center for Meteorology and Hydrology, and report to the Chairman of the People's Committee of Dak Nong Province;

d) In case of unexpected incidents, promptly report to the Chairmen of the People's Committees of Dak Nong and Lam Dong Provinces and the Ministry of Industry and Trade to timely direct measures for handling, while reporting to the Central Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention to direct and coordinate flood control and prevention activities;

5. The Head of the Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention in Ho Chi Minh City shall decide and direct the operation of Tri An and Dau Tieng Reservoirs with the following responsibilities:

a) Organize permanent monitoring of rainfall and flood developments, decide on regulation plans, and issue operation orders for reservoirs in accordance with Articles 11, 12, 16, and 17 of this Procedure. The issuance of operation orders for reservoirs as stipulated in Articles 11, 12, and 17 of this Procedure must be at least four hours before the implementation time, except in urgent and unusual cases;

b) Inspect and supervise the execution of operational orders for the reservoirs, directing the implementation of measures to respond to floods and handling situations affecting the safety of residents in downstream areas when the reservoirs release water;

c) When issuing operation orders for Tri An Reservoir, immediately notify the Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention in Dong Nai Province, the Heads of District Steering Committees for Flood Control and Storm Prevention within areas potentially affected by floods due to reservoir operations; when operating Dau Tieng Reservoir, immediately notify the Heads of the Provincial Steering Committees for Flood Control and Storm Prevention in Tay Ninh and Binh Duong Provinces, the Heads of District Steering Committees for Flood Control and Storm Prevention within areas potentially affected by floods due to reservoir operations; simultaneously inform the Southern Meteorological and Hydrological Station, the Central Forecasting Center for Meteorology and Hydrology, and report to the Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City;

d) In case of unexpected incidents, promptly report to the Chairmen of the People's Committees of Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai Province regarding Tri An Reservoir, the Chairmen of the People's Committees of Tay Ninh and Binh Duong Provinces regarding Dau Tieng Reservoir, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade to timely direct measures for handling, while reporting to the Central Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention to direct and coordinate flood control and prevention activities;

6. The Head of the Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention in Dong Nai Province:

a) Upon receiving operation orders from the Steering Committees for Flood Control and Storm Prevention of related localities, immediately notify the Heads of District Steering Committees for Flood Control and Storm Prevention within areas potentially affected by floods due to reservoir operations; simultaneously report to the Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Nai Province;

b) Direct the implementation of measures to respond to floods and handle situations affecting the safety of residents downstream when reservoirs release water;

7. The Head of the Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention in Tay Ninh Province:

a) Upon receiving operation orders from the Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention of Ho Chi Minh City, immediately notify the Heads of District Steering Committees for Flood Control and Storm Prevention within areas potentially affected by floods due to Dau Tieng Reservoir operations; simultaneously report to the Chairman of the People's Committee of Tay Ninh Province;

b) Direct the implementation of measures to respond to floods and handle situations affecting the safety of residents within the area when the reservoir releases water;

8. The Head of the Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention in Binh Duong Province:

a) Upon receiving operation orders from the Steering Committees for Flood Control and Storm Prevention of related localities, immediately notify the Heads of District Steering Committees for Flood Control and Storm Prevention within areas potentially affected by floods due to reservoir operations; simultaneously report to the Chairman of the People's Committee of Binh Duong Province;

b) Direct the implementation of measures to respond to floods and handle situations affecting the safety of residents downstream when reservoirs release water;

9. Upon receiving operation orders from the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood Control and Search and Rescue, the Head of the District Steering Committee for Flood Control and Search and Rescue must immediately notify the Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune in the downstream area affected, and direct the implementation of appropriate response measures to minimize damage caused by floods. The Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune is responsible for organizing notifications to the public and implementing response measures;

All orders, notifications, directives, recommendations, and exchanges related to the regulation and issuance of operation orders for reservoirs between relevant agencies as specified in this Article must be carried out in writing and sent via fax or transmitted through computer networks or read directly over the telephone, followed by the original document being sent to the aforementioned agencies and units for tracking, verification, and management file storage;

Article 19. Responsibilities of the Chairmen of the People's Committees of Binh Phuoc, Lam Dong, Binh Thuan, Dong Nai, Tay Ninh, Binh Duong, Dak Nong, and Ho Chi Minh City;

1. Organize information dissemination, publicity, and public explanation of this Procedure through mass media and local radio systems so that agencies and people in the locality understand and proactively prevent, respond to, and limit losses caused by floods. Direct inspections and supervision of the implementation of this Procedure by management and operation units of reservoirs in the locality;

2. Direct the development of proactive plans for flood control and storm prevention and organize the implementation of response measures for flood situations in the locality;

3. For the Chairmen of the People's Committees of Binh Phuoc, Lam Dong, Binh Thuan, Dak Nong, and Ho Chi Minh City, in addition to implementing the provisions of Clause 1 and Clause 2 of this Article, they also have the following responsibilities:

a) Direct the management and operation units of reservoirs to ensure reservoir safety throughout the flood season; implement monitoring and forecasting regimes as stipulated in Article 26 and provide data and information to the agencies and units specified in Article 27 of this Procedure, and operate the reservoirs strictly according to this Procedure;

b) Report to the Prime Minister, at the same time report to the Head of the Central Steering Committee for Flood Control to direct flood control measures for downstream areas before emergency reservoir discharge operations ensure safety for key projects;

c) Decide within their authority on the operation of reservoirs in situations of unusual floods in downstream areas according to the provisions of this Procedure, while directing the implementation of measures to ensure the safety of residents and minimize losses in the area.

Article 20. Responsibilities of the Head of the Central Steering Committee for Flood Control

1. Decide on issuing warnings and directing the implementation of response measures for flood situations in downstream areas when they exceed local capacity to handle them.

2. Report to the Prime Minister to take timely measures in cases where emergency reservoir discharges are necessary to ensure safety for key projects or when unexpected incidents occur.

3. Decide on the operation of reservoirs in special situations as prescribed in Clause 1, Article 5 of this Procedure.

Article 21. Responsibilities of the Minister of Industry and Trade

1. Direct Vietnam Electricity Corporation, National Power Dispatch Center, Thac Mo Hydropower Corporation, Can Don Hydropower Corporation, Srok Phu Mieng IDICO Hydropower Corporation, Dahnhim-Ham Thuan-Dami Hydropower Company, Dai Ninh Hydropower Company, Trungnam Hydropower Corporation, Dong Nai Hydropower Company, Dak Rit Hydropower Corporation, Vinacomin Power Corporation, and Tri An Hydropower Company to ensure the safety of hydropower reservoirs throughout the flood season.

2. Direct and urge management units of hydropower reservoirs to implement monitoring and forecasting regimes as stipulated in Article 26, provide data and information to agencies and units specified in Article 27 of this Procedure, and operate reservoirs strictly according to this Procedure; install alarm systems to inform households in downstream areas about signals when hydropower reservoirs release water.

3. Direct Vietnam Electricity Corporation and National Power Dispatch Center to mobilize maximum power generation from hydropower plants during periods when reservoirs are tasked with reducing floods for downstream areas as prescribed in this Procedure.

4. Report to the Prime Minister, at the same time report to the Head of the Central Steering Committee for Flood Control to direct flood control measures for downstream areas before emergency discharges from hydropower reservoirs ensure safety for key projects.

Article 22. Responsibilities of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development

1. Direct the assurance of safety for related irrigation works.

2. Report to the Prime Minister, at the same time report to the Head of the Central Steering Committee for Flood Control to direct flood control measures for downstream areas before emergency discharges from Dau Tieng Reservoir ensure safety for key projects.

3. Decide on emergency measures for incidents involving irrigation works in the Dong Nai River Basin, report to the Prime Minister and the Head of the Central Steering Committee for Flood Control.

Article 23. Responsibilities of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment

1. Organize the promulgation and guidance on implementing the Procedure. Direct the Water Resources Management Agency and relevant agencies to inspect and supervise the operation of reservoirs reducing floods for downstream areas according to this Procedure.

2. Direct the National Hydro-Meteorological Service to carry out monitoring, warning, and forecasting activities according to the regime stipulated in Article 26, and provide data and information to agencies and units specified in Article 27 of this Procedure.

3. Submit to the Prime Minister for adjustment of the inter-reservoir operation procedure when necessary.

Article 24. Responsibilities of the Directors of Units Managing and Operating Reservoirs

1. The responsibility for executing operational orders is as follows:

a) The directors of units managing and operating reservoirs are responsible for implementing operational orders of the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood Control and Prevention and other competent authorities as prescribed in this Procedure;

b) In case of unusual situations where operational orders cannot be followed, the director of the unit managing and operating the reservoir must immediately report to the person who issued the order;

c) In case of loss of communication or failure to receive operational orders from authorized issuers and other unusual situations, the director of the unit managing and operating the reservoir decides on the operation of the reservoir according to the provisions of this Procedure, and must promptly implement appropriate response measures.

2. When executing operational orders for sluice gates, the director of the unit managing and operating the reservoir must immediately notify the authorized issuer of the operational order, the Central Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Center, and the following units:

a) Southern Hydro-Meteorological Station for units managing and operating the Thac Mo, Can Don, Don Duong, Dai Ninh, Dong Nai 2, Dong Nai 3, Dak Rit, Ham Thuan, Tri An, and Dau Tieng reservoirs;

b) South Central Hydro-Meteorological Station for the Ham Thuan reservoir management and operation unit;

c) Central Highlands Hydro-Meteorological Station for units managing and operating the Don Duong, Dai Ninh, and Dak Rit reservoirs;

d) The director of the lower-level unit managing and operating the reservoir shall be responsible as follows:

- Can Don for the execution of the operational order of the Thac Mo reservoir;

- Srok Phu Mieng for the execution of the operational order of the Can Don reservoir;

- Dai Ninh for the execution of the operational order of the Don Duong reservoir;

- Dong Nai 2 for the execution of the operational order of the Dai Ninh reservoir;

- Dong Nai 3 for the execution of the operational order of the Dong Nai 2 reservoir;

- Dong Nai 4 for the execution of the operational order of the Dong Nai 3 reservoir;

- Dong Nai 5 for the execution of the operational order of the Dong Nai 3 and Dak Rit reservoirs;

- Dam Mi for the execution of the operational order of the Ham Thuan reservoir;

- Tri An for the execution of the operational order of the Dong Nai 3, Dak Rit, and Ham Thuan reservoirs.

Notifications to the agencies specified in this Clause shall be sent via fax or transmitted through computer networks, or read directly over the telephone, followed by the original document being sent to the aforementioned agencies and units for tracking, verification, and record keeping.

3. Implement monitoring, warning, and forecasting activities according to the regime prescribed in Article 26 of this Procedure and provide data and information to the agencies and units specified in Article 27 of this Procedure.

4. Ensure safe operation of works in accordance with the provisions of Article 14 of this Procedure. When ensuring safe operation of works, immediate reports must be made to the following agencies:

a) The Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and Control;

b) The Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and Control who has the authority to decide on the operation of the reservoir in accordance with the provisions of this Procedure;

c) The Ministry of Industry and Trade for hydropower reservoirs, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for the Dau Tieng and Phuoc Hoa reservoirs.

Article 25. Responsibilities for safety of works

1. An order to operate and regulate reservoirs contrary to the provisions of this Procedure leading to loss of safety of key works, systems of irrigation works, transportation, and public utilities downstream shall result in the person issuing the order being held responsible under the law.

2. Failure to comply with operating orders leading to loss of safety of key works, systems of irrigation works, transportation, and public utilities downstream shall result in the Director of the management and operation unit of the relevant reservoir being held responsible under the law.

3. During the operation of works, if there is a risk of an incident at key works requiring immediate adjustment, the Director of the management and operation unit of the relevant reservoir shall have the responsibility to report the incident, propose remedial measures, and direct handling and remediation of the incident to the Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and Control, the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and Control with the authority to decide on the operation of the reservoir in accordance with the provisions of this Procedure, and the following agencies:

a) The Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnam Electricity Corporation, National Power Dispatch Center for hydropower reservoirs;

b) The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for the Dau Tieng and Phuoc Hoa reservoirs.

4. If incidents occur at irrigation works downstream, the People's Committee of the province where the incident occurs shall have the responsibility to report and propose remedial measures to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for handling, while simultaneously reporting to the Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and Control to direct adjustments to the operational regime.

5. Annual comprehensive inspections must be conducted before the flood season as prescribed. The Director of the management and operation unit of the reservoir shall be responsible for organizing inspections of equipment and components of the works, carrying out repairs to ensure compliance with the operational regulations, and reporting to the Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and Control, the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and Control with the authority to decide on the operation of the reservoir in accordance with the provisions of this Procedure, and the following agencies for oversight and direction:

a) The Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnam Electricity Corporation, National Power Dispatch Center for hydropower reservoirs;

b) The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for the Dau Tieng and Phuoc Hoa reservoirs.

6. In cases where incidents or equipment cannot be repaired before the start of the flood season as stipulated in Article 2 of this Procedure, the Director of the management and operation unit of the reservoir must immediately report to the agencies specified in Clause 5 of this Article for direction on handling.

Article 26. Monitoring and Forecasting Regime

1. Under normal weather conditions, when no situation that could cause floods as defined in Clause 2 of this Article has appeared, agencies and units must implement the monitoring and forecasting regime as follows:

a) Daily, the Central Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Center must issue one hydrological forecast bulletin at 11:00 AM for the Phuoc Hoa, Ta Lai, Ta Pao, Bien Hoa, and Phu An hydrological stations;

b) Daily, the Southern Hydro-Meteorological Station must issue one hydrological forecast bulletin at 11:00 AM for the Phuoc Hoa, Ta Lai, Bien Hoa, and Phu An hydrological stations; the Southern Central Hydro-Meteorological Station for the Ta Pao hydrological station; and the Western Highlands Hydro-Meteorological Station for meteorological stations within the territory of Lam Dong Province;

c) Daily, units managing and operating reservoirs must implement monitoring and forecasting as follows:

- Organize water level monitoring, calculation of reservoir water levels, inflow to the reservoir, and discharge over the spillway and through the power plant at least four times daily at 01:00, 07:00, 13:00, and 19:00;

- Issue one forecast bulletin at 10:00. The content of the forecast bulletin must include current inflow to the reservoir, current and projected water levels at 06:00, 12:00, 18:00, and 24:00 hours; and projected total discharge at 06:00, 12:00, 18:00, and 24:00 hours (if applicable).

2. In case of an urgent typhoon, tropical depression near the coast, or other weather patterns causing floods that may directly affect areas within the Dong Nai River basin, agencies and units must implement the monitoring and forecasting regime and maintain it until the end of the flood period as follows:

a) The Central Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Center:

- Issue flood warning bulletins. The frequency of issuing warning bulletins is carried out according to the regulations on forecasting, warning, and transmitting natural disaster information;

- Collect rainfall and water level data at meteorological and hydrological stations within the Dong Nai River system according to the regulations;

- Issue flood forecast bulletins at the Phuoc Hoa, Ta Lai, Ta Pao, Bien Hoa, and Phu An hydrological stations. The frequency of issuing forecast bulletins is carried out according to the regulations on forecasting, warning, and transmitting natural disaster information.

b) The Southern Hydro-Meteorological Station, the Southern Central Hydro-Meteorological Station, and the Western Highlands Hydro-Meteorological Station collect rainfall and water level data at meteorological and hydrological stations within their respective jurisdictions and responsibilities on the Dong Nai River system. Additionally, these stations perform the following tasks:

- For the Southern Hydro-Meteorological Station:

+ Issue flood warning bulletins at the Phuoc Hoa, Ta Lai, Bien Hoa, and Phu An hydrological stations. The frequency of issuing forecast bulletins is carried out according to the regulations on forecasting, warning, and transmitting natural disaster information;

+ Issue forecast bulletins on water levels, flood warnings, and urgent flood warnings at the Phuoc Hoa, Ta Lai, Bien Hoa, and Phu An hydrological stations. The frequency of issuing forecast bulletins is carried out according to the regulations on forecasting, warning, and transmitting natural disaster information;

+ Monitor, forecast, and detect the time when water levels at the Phuoc Hoa, Ta Lai, Bien Hoa, and Phu An hydrological stations reach values specified in Table 1 and Table 4.

- For the Southern Central Hydro-Meteorological Station:

+ Implement flood warning bulletins at the Tà Pao Hydrological Station. The frequency of issuing forecast bulletins shall be carried out in accordance with regulations on forecasting, warning, and transmitting natural disaster information.

+ Implement water level forecast bulletins, flood bulletins, and urgent flood bulletins at the Tà Pao Hydrological Station. The frequency of issuing forecast bulletins shall be carried out in accordance with regulations on forecasting, warning, and transmitting natural disaster information.

+ Monitor, forecast, and detect the time when the water level at the Tà Pao Hydrological Station reaches the values specified in Table 1 and Table 4.

c) Management and operation units of reservoirs must implement monitoring and forecasting as follows:

- Organize water level monitoring and calculation of inflow to the reservoir, discharge over the spillway, and through the power plant at least once every fifteen minutes;

- Issue periodic flood forecast bulletins for the reservoir every three hours. The content of the forecast bulletin includes the current water level of the reservoir, inflow to the reservoir at the present time and at six, twelve, eighteen, and twenty-four hours ahead, including the forecast time of peak flood arrival at the reservoir; estimated total discharge at six, twelve, eighteen, and twenty-four hours ahead.

3. Annually, before the period specified in Points a, b, and c Clause 1 Article 17 of this Procedure for being allowed to accumulate water, the Central Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Center must issue trend assessment bulletins on weather, hydrology, and the possibility of floods occurring during the late flood season to serve the management of reservoirs operating under accumulation water regulations as stipulated in Article 17 of this Procedure.

Article 27. Responsibility for providing information and reporting

1. Under normal weather conditions, when there has not yet been a situation that may cause heavy rain and floods, agencies and units must provide data and information as follows:

a) The Central Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Center must provide the forecast bulletin specified in Point a Clause 1 Article 26 of this Procedure to the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control before noon each day;

b) The Southern Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Station must provide the forecast bulletin specified in Point b Clause 1 Article 26 of this Procedure to the Provincial Steering Committees for Flood and Storm Control and Urban Flood Control in Bình Phước, Lâm Đồng, Đắk Nông, Hồ Chí Minh City, and management and operation units of the Thác Mơ, Cần Đơn, Đồng Nai 2, Đồng Nai 3, Đăk R’Tih, Trị An, and Dầu Tiếng Reservoirs before noon each day;

c) The South Central Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Station must provide the forecast bulletin specified in Point b Clause 1 Article 26 of this Procedure to the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Control in Bình Thuận Province and management and operation units of the Hàm Thuận Reservoir before noon each day;

d) The Central Highlands Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Station must provide the forecast bulletin specified in Point b Clause 1 Article 26 of this Procedure to the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Control in Lâm Đồng Province and management and operation units of the Đơn Dương and Đại Ninh Reservoirs before noon each day;

đ) Management and operation units of reservoirs must provide forecast bulletins and monitoring and calculation data specified in Point c Clause 1 Article 26 of this Procedure to the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Control authorized to decide on reservoir operations according to this Procedure, the National Power System Dispatching Center, and the Central Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Center before ten o'clock each day. At the same time, they must also provide to the relevant Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Stations as follows:

- The Southern Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Station for management and operation units of the Thác Mơ, Cần Đơn, Đồng Nai 2, Đồng Nai 3, Đăk R’Tih, Trị An, and Dầu Tiếng Reservoirs;

- The South Central Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Station for the management and operation unit of the Hàm Thuận Reservoir;

- The Central Highlands Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Station for management and operation units of the Đơn Dương and Đại Ninh Reservoirs.

e) Management units of upper-level reservoirs must immediately provide forecast bulletins and monitoring and calculation data specified in Point c Clause 1 Article 26 of this Procedure to lower-level reservoir management units as stipulated in Point d Clause 2 Article 24 of this Procedure.

2. When there is an urgent typhoon, tropical depression near the coast, or other weather patterns causing heavy rain and floods that may directly affect areas within the Dong Nai River Basin, agencies and units must provide data and information as follows:

a) The Central Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Center must immediately and continuously provide data and warning and forecast bulletins specified in Point a Clause 2 Article 26 of this Procedure to the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the Vietnam Electricity Corporation;

b) The Southern Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Station, the South Central Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Station, and the Central Highlands Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Station must immediately and continuously provide data and warning and forecast bulletins specified in Point b Clause 2 Article 26 of this Procedure as follows:

- For the Provincial Steering Committees for Flood and Storm Control in Bình Phước, Đắk Nông, Lâm Đồng, Hồ Chí Minh City, and management and operation units of the Thác Mơ, Cần Đơn, Đồng Nai 2, Đồng Nai 3, Đăk R’Tih, Trị An, and Dầu Tiếng Reservoirs from the Southern Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Station;

- For the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Control in Bình Thuận Province and management and operation units of the Hàm Thuận Reservoir from the South Central Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Station;

- For the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Control in Lâm Đồng Province and management and operation units of the Đơn Dương and Đại Ninh Reservoirs from the Central Highlands Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Station.

c) When the water levels at hydrological stations within the jurisdiction and responsibility of the Southern Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Station, the South Central Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Station reach the levels specified in Table 1 and Table 4, these stations must immediately notify the following agencies and units:

- The Provincial Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Control in Bình Phước Province and management and operation units of the Thác Mơ and Cần Đơn Reservoirs for the Phước Hòa Hydrological Station;

- The Provincial Steering Committees for Flood and Storm Control in Lâm Đồng and Đắk Nông Provinces and management and operation units of the Đồng Nai 2, Đồng Nai 3, and Đăk R’Tih Reservoirs for the Tà Lài Hydrological Station;

- The Provincial Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Control in Hồ Chí Minh City and management and operation units of the Trị An and Dầu Tiếng Reservoirs for the Biên Hòa and Phú An Hydrological Stations;

- The Provincial Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Control in Bình Thuận Province and management and operation units of the Hàm Thuận Reservoir for the Tà Pao Hydrological Station.

d) The units managing and operating the reservoirs must immediately provide forecast bulletins along with monitoring data and calculations as prescribed in Point c Clause 2 Article 26 of this Procedure to the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention (PCTT&TKCN) authorized to decide on the operation of their own reservoirs under this Procedure, the National Load Dispatch Center, the Central Meteorological and Hydrological Forecasting Center, the Southern Meteorological and Hydrological Station, and the Southern Central Meteorological and Hydrological Station.

đ) The units managing upper-level reservoirs must immediately provide forecast bulletins and monitoring data and calculations as prescribed in Point c Clause 2 Article 26 of this Procedure to the unit managing the lower-level reservoir on the same river as stipulated in Point e Clause 1 of this Article.

3. Reporting responsibilities

The units managing and operating the reservoirs have the responsibility to report on the results of flood reduction operations and the operational status of the works, which shall be carried out as follows:

a) Not later than two days after the end of the flood period, the units managing and operating the reservoirs must report on the results of flood reduction operations, the post-flood operational status of the reservoir, and related information to the Central Steering Committee for Flood Control and Disaster Prevention, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnam Electricity Corporation, the National Load Dispatch Center, the Water Resources Management Agency, and the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention (PCTT&TKCN) authorized to decide on the operation of their own reservoirs under this Procedure for monitoring and guidance.

b) Annually, not later than fifteen days after the end of the flood season as specified in Article 2 of this Procedure, the units managing and operating the reservoirs must report on the results of operations during the flood season, the operational status of the reservoir during the flood season, proposals, recommendations, and related information to the Central Steering Committee for Flood Control and Disaster Prevention, the Provincial Steering Committee for Flood Control and Storm Prevention (PCTT&TKCN) authorized to decide on the operation of their own reservoirs under this Procedure, the National Load Dispatch Center, the Water Resources Management Agency, and the following agencies for monitoring and guidance:

- The Ministry of Industry and Trade for hydropower reservoirs;

- The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for the Dau Tieng and Phuoc Hoa reservoirs.

4. Methods of Providing Information and Data

The provision of information and data to the agencies and units as prescribed in Clauses 1, 2, and Clause 3 of this Article shall be carried out through one of the following methods:

a) By fax;

b) Through direct communication;

c) Through computer networks;

d) Directly over the telephone.

Article 28. During the implementation of the annual flood season operation procedure for inter-reservoir systems in the Dong Nai River Basin, if there are contents that need to be amended or supplemented, the heads of relevant agencies and units shall submit written proposals to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for review, and then submit them to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision.