According to the report from the Division of Irrigation and Natural Disaster Prevention and Control (under the Department of Agriculture and Environment), the province has 1,015 irrigation structures in operation. These include 14 reservoirs, 5 pumping stations, 792 diversion weirs, and 204 temporary dams. Many of these are located in remote and mountainous areas, posing significant challenges to emergency response efforts during floods.

To proactively address risks, the Department of Agriculture and Environment has conducted inspections and identified minor issues at three provincial-level irrigation facilities: the Ban hamlet Reservoir Outlet, Mường Đăng Irrigation System, and Mường Ảng Irrigation System. The managing units quickly carried out necessary repairs and completed restoration work.

Phan Văn Vượng, Acting Head of the Division of Irrigation and Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, stated: “Irrigation structures are regularly inspected, especially before and during the rainy season. As of now, minor issues at the three provincial-level facilities have been resolved to ensure they function properly for the agricultural season.”

The Điện Biên Irrigation Management Co., Ltd. operates over 30 irrigation structures, including 13 large-capacity reservoirs. To ensure safety during the flood season, the company has instructed operating units to continuously monitor hydrological conditions and adjust reservoir water levels promptly in case of heavy rainfall. Flood drainage outlets and downstream areas have also been dredged to maintain effective water flow.

Vũ Xuân Viễn, Deputy Director of the company, shared: “We regularly assess the condition of all facilities to promptly address issues. This includes dredging, clearing vegetation, and maintaining water flow. We also coordinate with local authorities to mobilize community participation in protecting irrigation works and ensuring safe operation during the rainy season.”

Alongside routine inspections and maintenance, the management units have prepared materials and equipment at specific pumping stations and irrigation clusters. For example, at the base of the Huổi Phạ Dam, materials such as rock, mixed aggregate, and wire cages have already been stockpiled. In the event of an emergency, these resources can be mobilized immediately for timely response. For irrigation facilities in remote or mountainous areas with difficult access, emergency supplies and plans have been tailored to suit various disaster scenarios.

In addition to the responsibilities of management units, local governments and on-site forces play a vital role, especially when sudden incidents occur during storms or floods. Therefore, the Department of Agriculture and Environment has prioritized close collaboration with local authorities and strengthened response capacity under the “four on-the-spots” principle (on-site command, on-site forces, on-site resources, and on-site logistics).

Across the province, 213 grassroots irrigation organizations have been established, managing and operating approximately 84.3% of all irrigation facilities. Zalo communication groups have been set up to maintain regular updates between departments and localities on weather conditions and disasters. Public awareness campaigns are also being conducted to encourage residents living near irrigation structures to adopt preventive safety measures and be ready to assist in emergency situations.

Given the province’s complex mountainous terrain, rescue and repair operations following natural disasters often face significant obstacles. Therefore, early and proactive inspections, reinforcements, and safety measures are considered crucial solutions to prevent and minimize damage from storms and floods.