The 98ha Mo Nong irrigation lake, the main water source for Chu Pah District, Gia Lai Province, runs dry as the dry season begins. (Source: VNA)
Thousands of reservoirs and lakes in Central Highlands are short of water for the upcoming dry season.
Central Highlands Standing Steering Committee reported that rainfall filled only 30 percent of the storage capacity of the reservoirs and lakes.
Rainy season in Central Highlands provinces usually starts in May and ends in October but this year, it began in late May and is expected to end in mid-October.
From September, 2015 to February, 2016, rainfall will be about half of the average amount in previous years.
Vice Director of Dak Lak Province's Centre for Hydro and Meteorological Forecasting, Bui Van Sung said that water volume in major reservoirs and lakes in the province including Krong Buk ha, Vu Bon, Buon Triet lake and Ea Kao lake is at about 30 percent of capacity.
The water level was three metres lower than that of the same period last year, he said.
He added that over 40 irrigation works in the province reached their dead water level, meaning the water's level is so low it cannot be drained by gravity, instead pumps are needed.
Severe drought hit the province last dry season, taking 200 irrigation works out of operation and damaging 4,364 ha of crops worth over 2 trillion VND (89 million USD).
Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mai Trong Dung, said that the upcoming dry season could be harsher than the previous one.
General Director of Buon Kuop Hydropower plant, Van Thien Nhan, said that having less rainfall affected its power generation.
In previous years the plant produced about 2.87 billion kWh on average but is expected to produce about 1.87 billion kWh this dry season.
There are over 2,260 irrigation works in Central Highland provinces including 1,150 reservoirs, 942 dams and 114 pumping stations. The works are designed to provide water to almost 270,🍎000 ha but only water about 200,000 ha.-VNA
People in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak celebrated as more rain fell on May 12 following showers the previous day, finally signaling the end of a prolonged drought and providing much-needed water to thousands of hectares of crops.
Vietnam’s central region is likely to endure longer heat waves than average, worsening its prolonged drought, said the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF).
The Central Highlands province of Dak Lak has undertaken efforts to protect the precious and rare water pines (scientifically known as Glyptostrobus pensilis).
The El Nino weather patterns are expected to be severe between this October and next February, possibly causing serious water shortages in many areas across Vietnam, experts forecast.
The Deposit Return System is seen as a potential instrument for effectively advancing Vietnam’s vision of a circular economy, as outlined in Article 142 of the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection.
The figures were highlighted in a Pre-Feasibility Study on a DRS tailored for single-use beverage packaging in Vietnam, conducted by Eunomia Research & Consulting.
Young people should not view AI as salvation but rather as a tool under human control. Young creators should focus on learning and accumulating practical knowledge, using AI as a tool to carry out artistic projects in the most effective and cost-efficient manner.
Saigon Hi-Tech Park’s ambitious 50% renewable energy goal far exceeds the city’s 15% target, positioning the park as a trailblazing “living lab” for sustainable energy solutions.
Vietnam's economic losses from natural disasters are estimated to account for 1 to 1.5% of GDP annually - a steep price that will continue to rise unless the country takes strong action.
Wutip, the first storm in the East Sea so far this year, has wreaked havoc across central Vietnam, claiming lives, displacing residents, and causing widespread damage to houses, crops, and infrastructure, the Department of Dyke Management and Disaster Prevention and Control reported as of 6:30 pm on June 13.
The tremor occurred at 7:39:46 am (Hanoi time), with the epicentre located at latitude 14.924°N and longitude 108.236°E, at a depth of approximately 8.1 kilometres. The natural disaster risk level was classified as 0 – the lowest on the scale.
Addressing a session on “Accelerating Financing for Resilience: Tailored Solutions for Disaster Risk Reduction,” Deputy Minister Hiep emphasised Vietnam's proposal in building sustainable financing in response to natural disasters, which aligns with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction's goals.
Vietnam has demonstrated its strong commitments by participating in global sustainable development forums, signing multiple free trade agreements, and attracting support from international partners for the implementation of the SDGs.
The fight against plastic pollution could not succeed through isolated efforts, but it must be a collective endeavour involving the entire political system, businesses, citizens, and the international community, said Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy.
Lang Son Global Geopark, with its outstanding geological values, cultural heritage, and unique natural landscapes, represents a valuable addition to UNESCO’s global geoparks system.
In 2019, Quang Ninh became one of the first localities in Vietnam to launch a province-wide campaign against plastic waste, mobilising the participation of the political system, the business sector, and the general public. Other localities—such as Hai Phong, Da Nang, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City—have also effectively implemented waste-sorting initiatives at source, along with models for plastic-free markets and urban areas.
This year’s World Oceans Day on June 8 is themed 'Wonderful Oceans: Sustaining What Sustains Us', while World Environment Day is on June 5 with the theme: 'Beat Plastic Pollution'.
According to Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment Le Huu Toan, a fire prevention and control plan has been in place since the dry season began, including round-the-clock patrols and rapid-response teams to snuff out fires before they could spread.
Renowned artists including Ha Anh Tuan, Den Vau, and Phan Manh Quynh, along with many directors and attendees, took part in planting hundreds of rare tree species such as mun (Diospyros mun) and cho chi (Parashorea chinensis) in the Thung Bong area of the Cuc Phuong National Park, contributing to forest ecosystem restoration.
The dispatch noted that since the beginning of 2025, natural disasters have claimed 29 lives and left several others missing. A total of 67 houses have collapsed, and 2,342 homes have been unroofed or damaged.
Its Forest Protection Sub-department has applied various specialised software and information technologies in forest management and protection and fire prevention.
In 2005, Nghe An had 570 captive bears, the largest number in Vietnam. Thanks to efforts by local authorities, forest rangers, and rescue forces, the number has fallen to just 15.
The 98ha Mo Nong irrigation lake, the main water source for Chu Pah District, Gia Lai Province, runs dry as the dry season begins. (Source: VNA)
