Drought and saline intrusion damage agricultural production in many localities (Source: VNA)
Khanh Hoa (VNA) – The central coastal province of Khanh Hoa is facing serious water shortages because of low levels in reservoirs.
Low rainfall in the last rainy season has been attributed to the situation, which forced local farmers to halt cultivation across 1,800 hectares of rice paddy in the winter-spring crop.
Scorching weather is likely to hit many areas across the locality in May and June this year, and the average water flow in local rivers will drop by between 85-95 percent compared to those recorded in previous years.
Nearly 10,000 hectares of farm land are likely to be hit during the summer-autumn crop, and about 7,000 local households will suffer water shortages.
The provincial People’s Committee has asked the Government for 36 billion VND (1.62 million USD) to cope with droughts this year, while the agricultural sector is directing locals to switch to crops that require less water.
Lower rainfall and a shortage of fresh water caused by El Nino also threaten the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu.
Saline intrusion has hit the districts of Hong Dan and Phuoc Long.
Over 20,000 ha out of 46,000 ha 2016 winter-spring rice crop in Bac Lieu is in danger of water shortages and saline intrusion.
Local farmers have been asked to dredge canals surrounding rice fields in order to store water for their crops.-VNA
