Keeping the 2025 autumn-winter rice crop safe

Faced with the impact of unusual weather, the Provincial People's Committee has asked sectors and localities to concentrate their efforts on protecting production. Plans to reinforce dykes, operate sluices, and prevent flooding are being implemented to ensure the safety of the 2025 autumn-winter rice crop for farmers.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Ngo Cong Thuc (second from left) inspects landslide remediation work in Chau Phu commune. Photo: THANH TIEN

Overcoming the effects of storms and rain

These days, Vice Chairman of Binh My Commune People's Committee Huynh Tan Hung regularly inspects the dykes protecting the 2025 autumn-winter rice crop in the area. According to Mr. Hung, in the 2025 autumn-winter crop, Binh My commune planted more than 6,015 hectares, of which rice accounted for more than 5,187 hectares. "In the 2025 autumn-winter crop, Binh My was affected by 10 storms and tropical depressions, affecting farmers' production. Floodwater from upstream combined with high tides caused the water level on rivers, canals and streams in the commune to rise 0.5 - 0.7m higher than previous years. Floodwater created strong and swirling currents leading to landslides, subsidence and bulging on the dykes, causing damage and affecting production and people's lives," said Mr. Hung.

In Binh My commune, there are 37 landslides, subsidence, and water leaks... making people worried. Previously, storms No. 5 and No. 6 damaged 76.6 hectares of newly planted rice of 80 households. Storm No. 12 and the tropical depression caused thunderstorms that broke the power lines of the Phu Thien Cooperative, the pumps stopped working, leading to flooding of 14.46 hectares of 48 vegetable-growing households. "We mobilized militia, police, security, and local order forces, along with people, to go to the scene to survey, isolate, and detect water leaks, from there come up with a treatment plan and use reinforcement and repair materials. At the same time, we set up barriers, stretched danger warning ropes, and hung load-reduction signs at the beginning of roads with landslides... to protect the safety of people traveling through this area," said Mr. Huynh Tan Hung.

In Chau Phu commune, high flood combined with heavy rain caused some culverts and holes to leak water, weak dike foundations that need to be reinforced; of which, 7 points need to be urgently reinforced to protect the autumn-winter rice area that is about to be harvested. Chairman of Chau Phu commune People's Committee Le Quoc Phong said: "We mobilized forces and means to promptly handle and fix the damaged dike points so as not to affect the autumn-winter rice area. The commune requires cooperatives and cooperative groups to coordinate with regular patrol forces to detect and handle weak points and ensure pumping and drainage work, preventing flooding for the autumn-winter rice production sub-regions."

Focus on protecting rice

According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment, in September and October, the whole province had 148 landslides, subsidence, and water leakage points through the dike body in 32 communes and wards. The Department requested localities to assign forces to regularly patrol, inspect, and promptly handle situations when they occur; urgently mobilize forces to use rubber tarps and sandbags to fix risky locations. The Department requested An Giang Irrigation Exploitation One Member Limited Liability Company to operate pumping stations at full capacity to prevent flooding, minimizing damage to people.

Regarding the impact of floods combined with high tides, the Department of Agriculture and Environment advised the Provincial People's Committee to close the Tha La and Tra Su sluices to reduce the amount of floodwater flowing downstream. The Department requested the Irrigation Sub-Department to report on the current status of riverbank landslides and propose effective solutions. On that basis, the Department asked for the province's direction on reinforcing and repairing 19 areas of riverbank and canal landslides, with a total length of 26,782m, and a total estimated cost of about 4,375 billion VND.

Inspecting landslide points and dykes to protect the 2025 autumn-winter rice crop, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Ngo Cong Thuc emphasized the proactive role of localities in patrolling, checking and handling vulnerable points under their management. At the same time, he requested communes and wards to prepare human resources and means according to the "4 on-site" motto to respond to all situations. "Due to the influence of storms and tropical depressions, there will be prolonged heavy rains in the province. Localities must increase patrols, control, and promptly handle vulnerable points with signs of water leakage through the dyke body. Absolutely do not be subjective because this is the year when flood waters rise high, last long, and the weather is very extreme," Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Ngo Cong Thuc analyzed.

Mr. Ngo Cong Thuc requested localities to strengthen propaganda, raise awareness and raise people's role in maintaining dykes to protect rice. With prolonged rain, localities with autumn-winter rice areas must request cooperatives and cooperatives to strengthen inspection of machinery and vehicles, and maximize the capacity of pumping stations to prevent flooding. "This is a decisive time for the entire production season, requiring sectors, localities and each individual to promote a proactive spirit and effectively respond to all situations. For landslides and weak points with signs of water leakage, urgent and decisive measures must be taken, not to be passive or surprised. From now until the end of the season, efforts must be made to ensure a secure 2025 autumn-winter rice crop for people," Mr. Ngo Cong Thuc emphasized.

THANH TIEN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/giu-an-toan-vu-lua-thu-dong-2025-a466876.html