Severe drought causes fish to die off in Nghe An.
(Baonghean.vn) - The prolonged heatwave has caused the water level in the Cam River, in the section passing through Nghi Loc district (Nghe An province), to drop to a record low. Aquatic life such as fish, snails, clams, etc., are dying en masse in the river.
| Clip: Quang An |
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| The Cấm River (Nghi Lộc district) provides water for agricultural production to many communes such as Nghi Hưng, Nghi Yên, Nghi Thuận, Nghi Tiến, Nghi Quang, Nghi Thiết... However, under record-breaking heat, the water level in the Cấm River has dropped to its lowest point in many years. In the photo: The Cấm Riverbed is completely dry on the morning of July 14th. Photo: Quang An |
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| Along the riverbanks, dead fish floated on the surface of the water, a heartbreaking sight for everyone. Photo: Quang An |
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| The mass fish deaths are caused by prolonged drought and rising water levels in the Cam River, which have altered the fish's habitat. In addition, increasing saltwater intrusion further inland has led to a growing number of freshwater fish deaths. (Photo: Quang An) |
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| Mr. Tran Van Lanh, a resident of Nghi Thuan commune, said: "I have lived next to the river for decades, but I have never seen the river water level drop so low and fish die in such large numbers. Before, to get from one bank to the other, you had to row a boat, but now you can easily wade across because the riverbed has dried up..." (Photo: Quang An) |
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| Many fish have died and decomposed, leaving only their skeletons on both banks of the Cam River. Photo: Quang An |
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| Dried fish carcasses lie curled up under the harsh, dry sun. Photo: Quang An |
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| Not only fish, but other seafood such as clams, snails, mussels... are also lying exposed on the river under the scorching sun. Photo: Quang An |
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| The water level in the Cam River dropped to only about 20 cm on the morning of July 14th, leaving the surrounding pumping stations without water for agricultural production. The pumps are dry and rusty. Photo: Quang An |
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| Mr. Tran Nguyen Hoa, Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Nghi Loc district, said that the prolonged drought has rendered nearly 1,000 hectares of rice land unusable for production, and 2,600 hectares of planted rice are affected by drought, with 700 hectares severely affected. The water level in the Cam River is currently very low and heavily affected by saltwater intrusion. Therefore, the district is planning to build a dam on the Cam River at the N5 bridge (Nghi Thuan commune) to increase the river's water level and prevent saltwater intrusion. In the photo: People in Nghi Loc around the Cam River area are converting rice fields to growing shallots to combat the drought. Previously, on July 13th, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Hoang Nghia Hieu declared a state of natural disaster due to the heatwave and drought in Nghe An province. Photo: Quang An |
