Some pumping stations along the Lam River have been operational since the afternoon of January 31st.

Some pumping stations have started operating.

As of 2 PM this afternoon (January 31st), atAt the Cat Van commune pumping station (Thanh Chuong district), the pump is now operating at approximately 80% of its suction pipe capacity. According to Mr. Le Dinh Thanh, Vice Chairman of the District People's Committee, all pumping stations are currently on 24/7 standby with 100% of their personnel on duty. When the water level rises enough for a pump to operate, pumping will begin immediately. In areas where the pumps are operational, the irrigation unit must coordinate closely with local authorities to regulate and pump water to serve agricultural production.

From 2 PM on January 31st, the Cat Van pumping station (Thanh Chuong district) began operating due to the rising water level of the Lam River. Photo: CSCC

“This spring, Thanh Chuong district planted 8,600 hectares of rice, strictly adhering to the planting schedule. From January 29th, farmers focused on planting rice, and it is expected that planting will be completed in about a week. However, water shortages have started to occur since January 25th.At noon on January 31st, approximately 700 hectares in the communes of Cat Van, Phong Thinh, Dai Dong, Thanh Dong, and Dong Van in the district could not be planted due to a lack of water.

Currently, in areas where water has been pumped, the district is directing farmers to focus on planting spring rice, said Mr. Le Dinh Thanh. If water resources are favorable, the water shortage in all the currently drought-stricken areas of Thanh Chuong will be resolved within the next 2-3 days.

Focus on solutions to ensure sufficient water supply for rice cultivation.

According to Mr. Nguyen Truong Thanh, Head of the Provincial Irrigation Department, the localized water shortage in some production areas of Thanh Chuong and Do Luong districts in recent days is due to the fact that although the Ban Ve reservoir is operating according to schedule, there has been no rain for several months, resulting in low water inflow and a current water level deficit of nearly 2 meters compared to regulations. Meanwhile, on the Lam River, which flows through Thanh Chuong and Do Luong districts, the riverbed is becoming increasingly shallow due to sand mining activities, leading to a lower water level and causing difficulties for pumping stations.

The Dai Dong pumping station (Thanh Chuong district) is unable to operate due to the extremely low water level. Photo: Phu Huong

Currently, to address this issue, the agricultural sector has directed the implementation of water regulation within the system to create water sources for the downstream areas of the Southern irrigation system.
Mr. Phung Thanh Vinh, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said: "Currently, the water level in the Northern irrigation system is sufficient. We have directed the regulation of water between the two systems and worked with and requested the Ban Ve Hydropower Company to increase the discharge flow. As a result, from the afternoon of January 31st, some pumping stations have started operating."

Leaders of Thanh Chuong district inspect the operation of pumping stations. Photo: Phu Huong.

In recent times, as part of the nationwide campaign for irrigation, localities have carried out dredging of irrigation canals, and the irrigation sector has also coordinated with the Ban Ve Hydropower Plant to regulate water flow appropriately to downstream areas. Currently, localities need to direct and continue focusing on dredging and clearing waterways to maximize the utilization of available water resources.

Farmers in Nam Dan district pump water for spring crop production. Photo: Phu Huong

Specifically, the pumping station in Trung Son commune, Do Luong district, has already been allocated funds for upgrading and repair. According to Mr. Phung Thanh Vinh, the Department of Agriculture is directing the acceleration of construction progress, with particular priority given to the irrigation canal project to ensure it can quickly and promptly serve agricultural production.