Hydropower dam bursts in Vietnam after downpour, villages at risk

Hydropower Dam Breach in Vietnam Sparks Flood Fears

On October 7, 2025, a critical infrastructure failure occurred in Lang Son Province, northern Vietnam, when a 10-meter section of the Bac Khe 1 hydropower dam gave way following intense rainfall linked to Typhoon Matmo’s circulation.

The breach originated as a minor crack near the spillway but rapidly expanded, releasing torrents of water downstream and inundating the dam’s operations area as well as nearby low-lying communities.

Local authorities responded swiftly, deploying emergency teams and issuing evacuation advisories to residents in Quoc Viet Commune and surrounding villages. Although no casualties were reported, the sudden surge of water posed an immediate threat to homes, farmland, and essential infrastructure along the Bac Khe and Ky Cung river corridors. Roads, bridges, and small irrigation systems were at risk of damage or becoming impassable, complicating relief efforts and logistics.

The dam failure has been attributed to the extraordinary rainfall brought by Typhoon Matmo, which significantly raised water levels and exerted pressure on the dam’s structure. Provincial officials and the Vietnam National Disaster Management Authority (VNDMA) have urged residents to relocate to higher ground and avoid riverbanks and flooded roads until the area is declared safe. Businesses operating in the region have been advised to review their continuity plans, especially those near hydropower facilities or riverine zones.

In a separate but similarly concerning incident, a diversion dam at the Ia Glae 2 hydropower project in Vietnam’s Central Highlands province of Gia Lai also ruptured due to prolonged heavy rain. The breach damaged local agricultural crops and isolated several residents, who were later rescued. The dam, funded by Khai Hoang Hydropower Joint Stock Company with an investment exceeding VND423 billion (US$17.3 million), was designed with a 12MW capacity. The rainfall, intensified by Typhoon Koinu, led to floodwaters that severely impacted infrastructure in Chu Prong District.

Both events underscore the vulnerability of hydropower infrastructure in Vietnam to extreme weather events and highlight the urgent need for reinforced safety protocols, improved forecasting systems, and community preparedness in flood-prone regions.