Yen Thanh: Nearly 500 hectares of summer-autumn rice crop at risk of total loss.

(Baonghean.vn) - Following Typhoon No. 2, floodwaters from upstream in Yen Thanh district have inundated 1,400 hectares of summer-autumn rice in low-lying areas, with nearly 500 hectares of rice in the heading stage at risk of total crop loss.

According to damage assessments conducted on the morning of July 19th, most of the rice fields in the nine low-lying communes in the flood-prone area were deeply submerged. This was due to the rapid influx of floodwaters, partly because the Bien Hoa canal system was slow to drain the floodwaters. In particular, these areas were planted early as part of the summer-autumn crop season to avoid flooding; therefore, the rice plants had already begun to develop mature panicles and were entering the flowering stage.

Due to Typhoon No. 2 making landfall, strong gusts of wind have caused the rice plants to be flattened, their leaves crushed, and coupled with the fact that they have been submerged in water for the past two days, salvaging them is very difficult because the rice plants are waterlogged.

Summer-autumn rice crops in Yen Thanh are flooded. Photo: Thai Duong

According to Mr. Nguyen Vuong Ngoc, Vice Chairman of the Yen Thanh District People's Committee, to overcome the consequences of natural disasters, the district is coordinating with the Bac Nghe An Irrigation Company Limited to focus on clearing the flow of water in 5 main drainage canal systems to drain floodwaters as quickly as possible.

On over 9 branch drainage canal systems, the communes mobilized forces to clear blockages at critical points, limiting localized flooding; at the same time, they organized specific damage assessments to develop support policies for the people.

For rice fields that are only slightly flooded, farmers are instructed to focus on draining the water and washing away the fallen leaves as soon as the water recedes, in order to minimize damage.

Summer-autumn rice crops in Yen Thanh are flooded. Photo: Thai Duong

Given the complex situation with ongoing storms and heavy rains, Yen Thanh district has requested the province to allow the removal of the drainage dike in Dien Thanh (Dien Chau) ahead of schedule to cope with the natural disaster and minimize damage to agricultural production in the low-lying areas of Yen Thanh district.

Sun