Pá Khoang reservoir in Mường Phăng commune is one of the province’s key irrigation projects and the largest reservoir managed by the Điện Biên Irrigation Management Co., Ltd., with a storage capacity of approximately 40 million cubic meters. As the rainy season reaches its peak, inspections and monitoring activities at the reservoir have been stepped up. Technical staff maintain round-the-clock duty schedules, regularly checking the dam body, spillway, water intake structures, and closely monitoring water levels.

According to Phạm Hồng Hà of the Điện Biên Irrigation Management Co., Ltd., ensuring dam safety during the rainy and flood season is a top priority. The company has increased inspections of infrastructure conditions, closely tracked weather developments and reservoir water levels, and developed operational plans to regulate water appropriately. Automated monitoring systems transmit images and data directly to the company’s servers, allowing engineers to monitor facilities remotely and promptly detect any unusual developments, thereby helping to protect both infrastructure and downstream communities.

The company currently manages and operates more than 30 irrigation works, including 13 large-capacity reservoirs located across the province. To ensure safe operation, regular inspections are conducted on dam bodies, spillways, water intake structures, drainage systems, and mechanical equipment. Weather conditions are also monitored closely to develop suitable water storage and regulation plans for each facility.

Vũ Xuân Viễn, Deputy Director of the company, noted that alongside evaluating the operational capacity of each reservoir, the company proactively identifies areas at risk and promptly carries out repairs when necessary. The application of technology in reservoir management has also been expanded, with several facilities now equipped with automated water-level monitoring stations that transmit real-time data and images to the company’s operations center.

According to the 2026 dam and reservoir safety assessment conducted by the Department of Agriculture and Environment, 13 of the province’s 14 assessed irrigation reservoirs were rated grade A and one was rated grade B, with none classified as grade C. No weather-related incidents have been recorded since the beginning of the year.

However, some facilities continue to experience localized damage, including seepage through dam bodies, cracks in spillway walls, erosion along spillways, and damage to water intake structures and control gates. Relevant agencies are implementing repair plans and upgrading several key reservoirs, including Pe Luông, Hồng Khếnh, and Na Hươm, to ensure safe operation throughout the rainy season.

Beyond irrigation reservoirs, dam safety measures are also being strengthened at hydropower projects across the province.

Following directives from the provincial People’s Committee, the Department of Industry and Trade coordinated with relevant agencies and local authorities from May 5 to May 15, 2026, to inspect 17 hydropower projects, including 13 operational plants and four under construction. Inspections focused on infrastructure conditions, reservoir operation procedures, disaster response plans, and downstream warning systems. Results showed that the facilities generally met safety requirements, with operators maintaining strict inspection regimes and readiness to address potential emergencies during the flood season.

Lê Thị Lưỡng, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, stated that most hydropower facilities strictly comply with reservoir operation regulations, conduct regular monitoring and inspections, and maintain adequate personnel, equipment, and supplies for disaster prevention and response. Many plants have adopted automated monitoring systems that transmit data directly to management agencies. No signs of abnormal cracking, subsidence, seepage, or serious landslides were detected, while flood-discharge warning systems and reservoir safety corridors are being maintained effectively.

As climate change continues to create increasingly complex weather patterns, ensuring the safety of dams and reservoirs has become more important than ever. Through proactive inspections, technological applications, timely maintenance, and comprehensive disaster preparedness planning, Điện Biên is strengthening the management and operation of its irrigation and hydropower infrastructure, helping to protect communities, support economic production, and maintain stable livelihoods throughout the province.