Economy

When the canals become 'choked'

Reporters Team August 17, 2026 10:46

The irrigation canals, considered the "lifeblood" serving agricultural production and drainage in Nghe An, are being encroached upon, built upon, and misused. From houses, restaurants, outbuildings, and livestock pens to makeshift embankments and bridges, many structures have sprung up right within or near the canal's protective corridor, narrowing the flow and hindering management and maintenance. Alarmingly, in many places, the canals have become dumping grounds for garbage and wastewater, with these violations persisting for many years.