Nghe An: Over 22,000 hectares of rice at risk of severe drought
(Baonghean.vn) - Currently, the water level in rivers and dams is gradually depleting. If the weather continues to be hot and sunny in the coming time without rain, more than 22,000 hectares of rice in Nghe An will suffer severe drought.
According to the forecast of the North Central Region Hydrometeorological Station, the flow of Nghe An rivers in June is 20% - 60% lower than the average of many years.
In addition, the total average rainfall in 2018 as of June 21, 2018 was 397.3mm; lower than the average of the same period of many years by 85.4mm and lower than the same period in 2017 by 112.8mm.
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| Fields and canals in Nghi Van commune (Nghi Loc) are severely dry because most of the dams have run dry. Photo: Quang An |
According to the report of the Irrigation Department, the province currently has 625 large and small dams, of which 95 are managed by enterprises. Of these, only 4 are currently full (in 2017 there were 9), 32 are over 70% capacity, 24 are between 50-70% capacity and 35 are under 50%.
By June 21, 2018, in more than 533 reservoirs managed by communes and cooperatives, the remaining water volume of the reservoirs was about 30% - 50%. Due to the lack of sub-seasonal rain, the water volume in the reservoirs was not replenished, the water level on the Ca River at the main works did not reach the design level, the water level of dams and canals creating internal sources decreased very quickly, especially small reservoirs could be exhausted, not ensuring water source for irrigation in the summer-autumn crop.
If there is no additional rainfall in the coming time, combined with hot weather, high temperatures and strong southwest winds, more than 22,542 hectares of rice will be damaged by drought.
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| The summer-autumn rice area planted in Hung Yen Bac commune (Hung Nguyen) will dry up if there is no timely water. Photo: Quang An |
To proactively prevent drought and saltwater intrusion, ensure water supply for summer-autumn crop production in 2018, the Provincial People's Committee and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development direct localities and units to continue to effectively implement solutions to prevent drought and saltwater intrusion, ensure water supply for daily life and production with each specific task.
In the 2018 summer-autumn crop and winter-spring crop, the whole province planted 96,000 hectares of rice, and by June 21, 64,801 hectares had been planted, reaching 67.5%.
