Many canals in Ca Mau have dried up due to the drought (Source: VNA)
Ca Mau (VNA) – With the severe drought showing no signs of easing, economic losses to the southernmost province of Ca Mau have been estimated at tens of billions of Vietnam dong.
A preliminary report shows that the drought hit 10,000 hectares of rice in the locality with 50 percent damage or above, of which nearly 3,000 hectares were totally lost.
The drought also damaged 5,000 hectares of crops and fruit trees, and 7,000 hectares of fish farming areas, causing losses of 13 billion VND (585,000 USD).
Up to 6,000 local households are facing water shortages, which have also forced rice cultivation, shrimp raising, animal husbandry and other farming activities to halt.
According to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, about 45 percent of shrimp breeding areas in Ca Mau are now not being used due to the drought.
The temperature in the province has reached 38 degree Celsius, resulting in low water levels in local rivers and canals.
Local authorities declared the natural disaster an emergency and have implemented synchronous solutions to tackle the situation.
The key tasks are to prevent fires in U Minh Ha cajeput forest, make the best use of available water supply systems and urge local people not to use fresh water to irrigate their crops and fruit trees.
Local leaders will also call for the Government’s support to deal with the disaster and build climate change adaptation facilities.-VNA
