Urgent restoration of irrigation systems is needed to ensure timely production for the winter-spring crop.

DAK LAK: The irrigation system in eastern Dak Lak province was severely damaged after the floods. Units are working hard to repair it in time for the 2025-2026 winter-spring crop season.

Worried about being late for the season?

Damage caused by heavy rains, especially the impact of Typhoon No. 13 and the prolonged flooding from November 15-23, resulted in widespread flooding in the eastern part of Dak Lak province with recorded rainfall exceeding 2,300mm. This situation, combined with the simultaneous release of water from upstream hydropower plants on the Ba River, caused severe siltation, erosion, and damage to irrigation systems and canals. Particularly, the Dong Cam irrigation system suffered serious damage due to the rapid rise in water levels in the Ba River, causing canal breaches, siltation, and severe erosion.

Construction units are working hard to restore the irrigation system in time for the 2025-2026 winter-spring crop season. Photo: Engineer.

According to observations by reporters from the Agriculture and Environment Newspaper, along the main southern canal in Son Thanh commune, dozens of severe landslides and canal breaches have cut off the water flow. At one critical location alone, more than 400 meters of the canal have been severely eroded and damaged by floodwaters, and the construction unit is urgently working to reinforce it. On the construction site, dozens of vehicles and machines are operating continuously, day and night.

According to Dong Cam Irrigation Company Limited, in addition to nearly 30 major landslides along the North and South main canals running through the rice fields, there are currently two of the most severe landslides, requiring the longest time for restoration, located at the headworks of the South and North main canals. Restoring these two points will determine whether water can be released sooner or later.

To implement the repair of canal systems and irrigation works after the floods, ensuring irrigation for the 2025-2026 winter-spring crop, the People's Committee of Dak Lak province has assigned the Management Board of Investment and Construction Projects in the eastern region of the province to urgently repair the damage to the South and North main canals of the Dong Cam irrigation system. The Dong Cam Irrigation Company has been tasked with repairing and restoring the works and canals at all levels under its management to ensure timely completion and water supply for the upcoming winter-spring crop.

Contractors have accessed the site, opened access roads, cleared the ground, and carried out emergency earthworks. The goal is to open the temporary canal by the end of December to bring water to the delta region, after which permanent reinforcement will be carried out.

However, the extensive damage, coupled with the ongoing rain, is causing significant delays in construction progress, leaving farmers worried about potential planting season set aside. This has forced many production areas to postpone their original plans.

Mr. Vo Dinh On, a farmer in Son Thanh commune, expressed: "The irrigation canals are severely damaged. We hope the construction unit will complete the work soon so that farmers can sow their crops according to schedule; otherwise, it will be delayed."

A budget of 246 billion VND has been proposed for remediation.

Given the severe damage, Dong Cam Irrigation Company Limited is making every effort to accelerate the recovery process. The company has submitted Report No. 794/BC-CT dated December 5, 2025, to the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment, proposing a list of canals and irrigation works affected by the floods that need to be restored. The total estimated cost for disaster relief is over 246 billion VND, divided into two phases.

The recent floods have severely damaged the irrigation system in eastern Dak Lak province. Photo: KS.

Phase I involves addressing the damage requiring immediate repair to restore irrigation water supply, with an estimated cost of over 86 billion VND to ensure agricultural production. The most severely damaged irrigation stations include the South Canal Irrigation Station (over 38 billion VND) and the North Canal Irrigation Station (over 29 billion VND). Common damages include canal breaches, embankment erosion, siltation within the canals, and landslides affecting access roads. The main proposed remedial measures are excavation and embankment of canal banks, concrete reinforcement of canals, and dredging to improve water flow.

Phase II involves a proposed investment plan for remediation totaling 160 billion VND. This phase focuses on strategic projects with significant damage, including reinforcing the outer embankment of the left bank of the main South Canal (60 billion VND) to repair severely damaged and eroded sections of the embankment and prevent riverbed erosion that could compromise the structure's safety. The remaining item is the repair and upgrading of the Tam Giang Dam with a budget of 100 billion VND, with a proposal to build a new dam as 50 meters of the old one has collapsed.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Hue, Chairman of Dong Cam Irrigation Company Limited, said: "We are working day and night to complete the repairs at the landslide sites. However, due to the extensive damage and unfavorable weather conditions, the water release schedule will have to be postponed."

According to the plan, the planting season for the winter-spring crop in Dak Lak is scheduled from December 20, 2025 to January 10, 2026. However, due to the current damage, the planned water release schedule can only be implemented at the end of December after the damaged irrigation system is repaired. This means the planting schedule will certainly be delayed. The agricultural sector advises farmers to closely monitor the regularly updated water release and planting schedules to proactively ensure safe production.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/khan-truong-khoi-phuc-thuy-loi-de-kip-san-xuat-vu-dong-xuan-d788766.html