Over 100 hectares of rice paddies in the downstream area of ​​the Rac River are "thirsty" for water!

(Baohatinh.vn) - Although located downstream of the Rac River, for many years, more than 100 hectares of rice fields in the villages of Hoa Binh, Tuan Tuong, Tan Phong, and Trung Phong in Ky Xuan commune (Ha Tinh province) have been constantly facing water shortages for irrigation, especially during planting season.

Although it is currently the spring harvest season, concerns about water shortages for irrigation have begun to emerge in many fields in Ky Xuan commune. Locals say that every year, especially during the summer-autumn planting season, the risk of drought recurs, while the main canal of the Rac River is not far from the fields.

After the harvest, the rice fields in Tan Phong village will face the worry of a shortage of irrigation water for the summer-autumn crop.

The N11 canal, constructed since 2015, is nearly 3.6 km long and carries water from the main canal of the Rac River to irrigate over 100 hectares of agricultural land in the villages of Hoa Binh, Tuan Tuong, Tan Phong, and Trung Phong. However, shortly after being put into operation, this canal revealed many shortcomings.

Mr. Duong Quoc Phong (Tan Phong village) said that even when the water in the main canal flows quite strongly, the amount of water entering the N11 route is very weak. Each time the canal is opened, the water is only sufficient for a small area at the upstream, while areas downstream often have to wait a whole week for water.

Even when the water in the main canal flows quite strongly, the amount of water entering the N11 route is very weak.

“My family owns nearly 5 acres of rice fields. Because we live at the end of the irrigation canal, we are always uncertain about water supply, especially during the summer-autumn crop season. Planting the seeds is already difficult, but when the water arrives, the fields are already cracked and dry. Sometimes we have to replant because the rice dies from drought. We, the people, earnestly hope that the authorities will soon address the shortcomings of the irrigation canal so that we can produce with peace of mind,” Mr. Phong shared.

Water shortages have also severely impacted the planting schedule in these villages. According to local residents, while many other areas have completed planting, the fields at the end of the N11 route are still waiting for water to prepare the land.

The main cause of the irrigation water shortage has been identified as stemming primarily from the flawed design of the water intake gate at Canal N11.

The primary cause has been identified as the flawed design of the water intake gate for Canal N11. Specifically, the gate was constructed with a small opening, perpendicular to the main canal, and significantly higher than the bottom of the main canal of the Rác River. This reduces the flow pressure, severely limiting the amount of water entering the canal.

Over the years, local residents and authorities have repeatedly petitioned relevant agencies at all levels regarding this situation. However, the problem has yet to be completely resolved.

The sluice gates not only have a small opening but are also designed to be considerably higher than the bottom of the main channel.

Mr. Tong Khanh Huyen, head of Tuan Tuong village, Ky Xuan commune, said: "The prolonged water shortage has greatly affected the morale and production efficiency of the people. Although we are not at the end of the N11 canal, the entire rice area (40 hectares) of our village is constantly affected by water scarcity."

During prolonged periods of hot weather or during the summer and autumn planting seasons, water shortages are a frequent occurrence. Often, seeing water rushing in the main canals while the fields below remain dry makes one feel anxious.”

The ability to bring water into the fields through branch canals is very limited.

Mr. Dang The Anh, Vice Chairman of the Ky Xuan Commune People's Committee, said: "More than 100 hectares of agricultural land in the locality directly depend on water from this canal. However, due to unsuitable design, the water delivery efficiency has not met expectations. The locality has repeatedly petitioned higher authorities and the irrigation management unit to inspect and develop a plan to improve and upgrade the system."

The leaders of Ky Xuan commune further informed that, for the time being, the locality is coordinating with relevant units to implement many temporary solutions such as dredging waterways, regulating water flow in rotation, and mobilizing people to reinforce field and plot embankments to retain water. However, these are only temporary solutions. To solve the problem fundamentally, it is necessary to adjust the water intake system, lower the elevation, and widen the sluice gate opening to increase water flow. If the problem is not resolved completely, the water shortage will continue to recur in future production seasons.”

In reality, with agricultural production facing increasing pressure from climate change, irrigation systems play a particularly important role. A project invested in with the expectation of serving the people's needs, but with an impractical design, will lead to wasted resources and directly affect people's lives.

With only a short time left before the start of this year's summer-autumn crop season, the people of Hoa Binh, Tuan Tuong, Tan Phong, and Trung Phong villages (Ky Xuan commune) need a fundamental solution to ensure that water flows to their fields in a timely manner, guaranteeing production according to the seasonal schedule.

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/hon-100-ha-dat-trong-lua-vung-ha-du-song-rac-khat-nuoc-post310464.html