Preventing drought damage to crops.

The Quang Xuong Irrigation Branch (Song Chu One-Member Limited Liability Company) proactively provides irrigation water for people to plant their autumn crops.

For the 2025 harvest season, the Nong Cong Irrigation Branch of Song Chu One-Member Limited Liability Company plans to provide irrigation water for over 9,400 hectares of rice fields in the communes of Nong Cong, Thang Loi, Truong Van, Thang Binh, Tuong Linh, Cong Chinh, etc. From the beginning of the season, the branch has developed irrigation and drought prevention plans for all clusters, down to individual structures, to ensure rational and proactive management in all adverse weather conditions. In addition, the branch regularly inspects, maintains, and repairs the structures, and prepares spare parts and materials for the pumping stations to be ready to pump water for drought relief. Simultaneously, the branch has coordinated with the communes to review and prepare diesel pumps for ready use in drought relief operations.

Mr. Tran Van Hanh, Director of the Nong Cong Irrigation Branch, said: “When drought occurs, the water supply is insufficient to meet irrigation requirements, resulting in some areas of high-lying fields and canal ends lacking irrigation water. Based on the actual situation, the branch mobilizes all its staff and, according to the company's water distribution schedule on the South Chu River canal system, N8 Chu River canal, North Muc River canal, and South Muc River canal, divides the irrigation into several phases to increase water supply to drought-affected areas. In localized drought-stricken areas far from the canal system, the branch uses diesel pumps to promptly pump water to combat the drought.”

As of July 5th, the entire province had planted 107,700 hectares out of 152,000 hectares of autumn crops, reaching 70.9% of the plan. This includes 95,000 hectares of rice; 5,300 hectares of corn; 550 hectares of peanuts; 242 hectares of sweet potatoes; 4,664 hectares of vegetables and legumes; and 1,987 hectares of other crops. According to the Irrigation Sub-Department's assessment, in the event of prolonged widespread heatwaves, reservoirs and dams may not hold enough water compared to their design capacity, and river water levels may drop. The province is at risk of water shortages, drought, and saltwater intrusion affecting an area of approximately 13,300 to 17,200 hectares. Of this, the area at risk of drought affecting crop yields ranges from 7,900 to 8,700 hectares, concentrated in the following areas: Water supply areas from large lakes and dams, mainly in the downstream areas of the canal systems drawing water from Cua Dat Lake (Bai Thuong system, North Chu River - South Ma River system), Song Muc Lake, and Yen My Lake. Water supply areas from small lakes, dams, and irrigation works in the midland and mountainous areas of the South Chu River, North Ma River, and downstream of Buoi River, and some areas with surplus water but lacking water storage facilities. Water supply areas from electric pumping stations in the South Chu River and North Ma River areas.

According to annual monitoring by the Irrigation Sub-Department, during prolonged periods of widespread heatwaves, when river water levels drop, irrigation management and operation units must extend pumping pipes or use additional diesel pumps to supply water to the intake tanks... to provide water for production. This is especially true for pumping stations drawing water from the main Ma River (downstream of Cam Thuy 1 Hydropower Plant), with 62 irrigation pumping stations and 13 pumping stations drawing water from the Chu River.

In response to this situation, the Irrigation Sub-Department is actively disseminating information and raising awareness among the public about water resources, saltwater intrusion, and the impact of climate change on drought and water shortages, aiming to improve people's understanding of water conservation. Simultaneously, they are encouraging people to cooperate with irrigation management and operation units to take advantage of opportunities to collect, store, and use water efficiently and economically, ensuring the healthy growth and development of crops. Irrigation management and operation units are implementing solutions to prevent and combat drought, water shortages, and saltwater intrusion, ensuring water resources for production. These units are proactively coordinating with communes, wards, and the power company to prioritize electricity supply for pumping stations when needed for drought prevention and control.

Text and photos: Le Hoi

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/chong-han-cho-cay-trong-254626.htm