Rain falls across the country, dispelling the oppressive heat.

"Golden rain" cools the air and saves the rice crop.

After many days of intense heat, rain has begun to fall in the North Central region. These "golden rains" have dispelled the oppressive heat, provided relief, and saved the summer-autumn rice crop from the risk of scorching.

Reporters from SGGP newspaper observed in several communes in the districts of Dong Son, Quang Xuong, Trieu Son, Thieu Hoa, and Yen Dinh ( Thanh Hoa province ) that most localities had just finished transplanting and sowing the summer-autumn rice crop. However, due to prolonged heatwaves and scarce irrigation water, many fields were cracked and some areas were completely dry. Thanks to heavy rains from June 23rd to 24th, many rice fields were saved and are now recovering.

Meanwhile, according to the North Central Region Meteorological and Hydrological Station, from the night of June 23 to the morning of June 24, the area experienced scattered rain, with some places receiving heavy rainfall such as Chau Cuong (Quy Hop, Nghe An) where 99mm of rain was recorded. Forecasts indicate that from the evening of June 24 to the morning of June 26, the North Central region will experience moderate to heavy rain, with some areas experiencing very heavy rain and thunderstorms, with rainfall amounts generally ranging from 20-50mm, and some areas exceeding 100mm. Specifically, Thanh Hoa province will receive 20-50mm of rain, with some areas exceeding 100mm; Nghe An province 20-40mm, with some areas exceeding 80mm; and Ha Tinh province 20-40mm, with some areas exceeding 60mm.

According to the National Center for Meteorological and Hydrological Forecasting, heavy rain has fallen across a wide area not only in the North but also in the Central Highlands and South. From 7 AM to the afternoon of June 24th, rainfall measured at various stations was relatively high, such as: Suoi Giang (Yen Bai) 116mm, Tri Phu (Tuyen Quang) 77mm, Yen Thuong (Bac Kan) 64mm, Kim Binh (Hoa Binh) 166mm… The meteorological agency continuously issued warnings about the risk of landslides and flash floods in the provinces of Lang Son , Son La, Tuyen Quang, Thanh Hoa… and flood warnings on rivers in the North.

However, according to the National Center for Meteorological and Hydrological Forecasting, the peak of heavy rain and strong winds in Northern Vietnam will be from the night of June 24th to the morning of June 26th. Meteorological experts believe that this prolonged period of rain and wind will help Northern and Central Vietnam quickly become cooler and more pleasant again, but in areas with localized heavy rain, the risk of landslides, flooding, and even flash floods is very high, given the increasingly evident La Nina phenomenon, which brings heavy rainfall and large-scale flooding.

Prolonged heavy rain has caused flooding in the dragon fruit growing area of ​​Chau Thanh district (Long An province). Photo: NGOC PHUC

To respond to this heavy rainfall, from noon on June 24th, the Standing Office of the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control issued a document to the command centers in provinces and cities in Northern and North Central Vietnam, requesting them to promptly guide people to proactively prevent and minimize damage.

Mekong Delta: Rice crops flattened, dragon fruit plants at risk of waterlogging and dying.

Over the past few days, the Mekong Delta has experienced heavy rainfall across a wide area, accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds, causing significant damage to the summer-autumn rice crop that was about to be harvested.

Hau Giang, Vinh Long, Can Tho City… are among the localities with the largest areas of damaged rice fields. In Long Ho district (Vinh Long) alone, approximately 1,700 hectares of summer-autumn rice have been flattened. The flattened rice will significantly reduce yields and make harvesting difficult for farmers. Local authorities in the region are urging farmers to drain water promptly and use methods to raise the rice plants to minimize damage, and are mobilizing military forces to assist farmers…

In Long An province, on June 24th, according to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Truyen, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, heavy rains in recent days have caused severe flooding in many orchards. In Chau Thanh district (Long An), many dragon fruit orchards were flooded up to 0.5 meters deep, causing distress to orchard owners who are trying various methods to drain the water and reduce the area of ​​dragon fruit trees that will die from waterlogging. Mr. Nguyen Van Phuoc (a resident of Chau Thanh district) said that after 3-4 days of heavy rain, his family tried many methods but the water could not drain quickly enough, and more than 1 hectare of dragon fruit trees that were bearing fruit are at risk of being cut down because the roots of many trees are rotting.

Similarly, in Cho Gao district (Tien Giang province), hundreds of dragon fruit orchards are also facing the risk of dying due to prolonged flooding. Locals are making efforts to pump out the water to save the orchards that are about to be harvested.

In Kien Giang, heavy rains and thunderstorms in recent days have caused the collapse and damage of 11 houses, and sunk 4 fishing boats.

By the afternoon of June 24th, the Standing Office of the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control continued to report that, due to heavy rain in the upstream Northwest region, at 3 PM on June 24th, the water level in the upstream Hoa Binh reservoir reached an elevation of 111.53m, with an inflow of 2,941 ^m³ /second and an outflow of 2,123 ^m³ /second. Based on the report from the National Center for Meteorological and Hydrological Forecasting, from the evening of June 24th to the morning of June 26th, the Northern region will experience moderate to heavy rain, with some areas experiencing very heavy rain, with widespread rainfall of 50-120mm, and some areas exceeding 200mm.

To gradually bring the upstream water level of Hoa Binh Reservoir back to a safe level as regulated, the National Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control ordered the Director of Hoa Binh Hydropower Company to open one bottom sluice gate of Hoa Binh Reservoir at 10 PM on June 24th. At the same time, the Standing Office of the National Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control issued an additional document to the command centers in the provinces of Hoa Binh, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Hai Duong, Hai Phong, Hung Yen, Ha Nam, Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, and Ninh Binh, requesting them to immediately inform the people, organizations operating on or along the river, aquaculture facilities on the river, water transport vehicles, ferry terminals, businesses, and sand and gravel mining operations about the flood release from Hoa Binh hydropower reservoir so that they can proactively take preventive measures to ensure the safety of people and property.

VAN PHUC – DUY CUONG – NGOC PHUC – VINH TUONG