Bring water back to the fields.

LAO CAI: Nearly 500 irrigation works have been damaged by floods. Authorities and residents are making efforts to implement various solutions to restore irrigation water to the fields.

Irrigation systems paralyzed after floods.

The prolonged heavy rains and floods, particularly those caused by the recent typhoons No. 10 and 11, have inflicted severe damage to infrastructure and agricultural production in Lao Cai province. In particular, the irrigation system has been severely damaged.

With the upcoming winter-spring planting season, authorities, relevant agencies, and the people of Lao Cai province are racing against time, mobilizing all resources to overcome the consequences of the disaster and striving to restore waterways and ensure irrigation water for production.

Many irrigation works were severely damaged by floods. Photo: Thanh Tien.

As one of the province's key food-producing areas, Vo Lao commune suffered severe consequences as its irrigation water supply relied almost entirely on the irrigation system. The devastating flood caused serious landslides and buried many canals and ditches.

According to statistics from the People's Committee of Vo Lao commune, the entire commune has 11 irrigation works that have been severely damaged, with estimated losses exceeding 1 billion VND. Many sections of the irrigation canals have been eroded, broken, or completely buried under thick layers of mud and soil that have flowed down from the hillsides.

In Ngau 2 village, more than 60 households and approximately 16 hectares of agricultural land were affected by flooding from the rising Vo Lao stream, which submerged a large portion of the rice fields. The irrigation canal system, over 2,000 meters long, serving irrigation and aquaculture in the village, was almost completely paralyzed.

Mr. Lu Van Them, Head of Ngau 2 village, said: “Immediately after the flood receded, we mobilized the villagers to inspect, clean, and promptly remedy the consequences, proactively checking the water flow, detecting leaks, and making efforts to protect the canals from further damage.”

In Vo Lao commune, dozens of irrigation works were affected by the floods. Photo: Thanh Tien.

According to Mr. Dao Quang Dong, an official from the Economic Department of Vo Lao commune, at locations where irrigation canals are broken, the commune has instructed the irrigation team to use HPDE plastic pipes as temporary replacements. For canals with accumulated mud and silt, dredging and clearing are being carried out to ensure irrigation water for the commune's winter crop area.

Nearly 500 large and small irrigation works were damaged.

Not only in Vo Lao, but the remnants of Typhoon No. 10 have caused severe damage to irrigation systems throughout Lao Cai province. Preliminary statistics show that 488 irrigation works across the province were damaged, with estimated losses of approximately 168 billion VND. Typhoon No. 10 alone damaged 424 irrigation works and 16 irrigation pumping stations.

Many sturdy structures could not withstand the destructive power of the natural disaster. In Au Lau ward, the Doan Ket dam suffered serious landslides downstream at 8 points, with a total length of nearly 100 meters, directly threatening production and the movement of people. In Nam Cuong ward, the entire irrigation canal serving agricultural production was buried deep in mud. Tan Phu Company Limited mobilized maximum manpower to focus on dredging the mud.

Many canals and ditches are buried under soil and rocks. Photo: Thanh Tien.

Ms. To Phuong Dung, Deputy Director of Tan Phu Co., Ltd. (the irrigation management unit), said: “We mobilized all of our company's workers, as well as hired external labor and machinery and equipment to urgently carry out repairs. At the same time, we prepared documents, made cost estimates, and requested support from competent authorities to restore and ensure irrigation water for local agricultural production.”

Local forces participate in repairing the canal system to provide irrigation water for the winter-spring crop. Photo: Thanh Tien.

According to the Lao Cai Department of Agriculture and Environment, the total estimated capital needed to completely repair irrigation works throughout the province amounts to over 180 billion VND. The province has requested over 160 billion VND from the central government; the remainder will be mobilized from the disaster prevention and control, search and rescue budget and other local budget sources.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/dua-nuoc-tro-lai-cac-canh-dong-d780931.html