The fields are cracked and dry, leaving farmers restless and anxious.
During this year's summer-autumn crop season, Mr. Nguyen Van Hoi (64 years old), from Hamlet 2, Bac Trach Commune, is facing a severe water shortage. Of his family's 5 sao (approximately 0.5 hectares) of rice fields, about 2 sao have been severely affected. Prolonged hot weather and many days without rain have caused the rice plants to turn yellow, the soil to crack, and the rice plants to grow slowly due to lack of water. To save the rice, Mr. Hoi has had to borrow a small pump and utilize the remaining water in the irrigation canals.
However, water levels in canals and reservoirs have dropped significantly, with many areas nearly dry, resulting in insufficient water for irrigation. In recent days, to save the rice crop, villagers have been proactively clearing irrigation canals and taking turns pumping water for irrigation to conserve resources. Nevertheless, this is only a temporary solution as reservoirs in the area are gradually running low.
“Now we can only hold on. If it doesn’t rain in the next few days, it will be very difficult to save the remaining rice crop, and the risk of crop failure is very high. We hope that the relevant authorities will soon have a plan to regulate and supplement water resources to save the rice fields that are facing the risk of drought and reduced yield,” Mr. Hoi said worriedly.
Similar to Mr. Hoi's family, Mr. Nguyen Danh Huynh's family in Bac Trach commune cultivates 5 sao (approximately 0.5 hectares) of rice. The entire area depends on water from reservoirs and dams. However, the prolonged heatwave over the past several months has caused water levels in the reservoirs to drop, leaving many rice fields without sufficient irrigation. Rice plants in their growth stage are beginning to turn yellow, even wilting, risking reduced yields or even total crop failure if the unfavorable weather continues.
Speaking with us, Mr. Nguyen Danh Huynh, from Hamlet 6, Bac Trach Commune, said that this year's summer-autumn crop has been severely affected by prolonged heatwaves for an entire month, causing drought and scorching of rice fields in many areas. The people are hoping that the local authorities will soon provide solutions to support irrigation and water supply to save the rice crop in time, otherwise the risk of crop failure is very high. Meanwhile, production costs and service prices have increased significantly, with millions of dong invested per sao (a unit of land measurement), so if the crop fails, the farmers will suffer heavy losses.
Focus efforts on combating drought and saving the summer-autumn rice crop.
Not only in Bac Trach commune, but many localities in Quang Tri province are also severely affected by drought. According to the Quang Tri Provincial Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, more than 1,170 hectares of rice fields are currently experiencing water shortages, and over 36 hectares are affected by saltwater intrusion. Some localities with large affected areas include: Ba Don ward with 250 hectares, Dong Trach commune with 60 hectares, Dong Ha ward with 120 hectares, Trieu Phong with 110 hectares, Nam Dong Ha ward with 115 hectares, and Kim Dien commune with 58 hectares…
The main reason is the low water levels in reservoirs, rivers, streams, and canals, leaving many pumping stations without enough water to operate. Local authorities are mobilizing mobile pumps, dredging canals, and utilizing all available water sources to combat the drought and save the rice crops.
Mr. Nguyen Huu Sang, Deputy Director of Quang Binh Irrigation Works Exploitation Company Limited, said: In 2026, prolonged hot weather with unusual weather patterns will put many reservoirs, especially the small reservoirs managed by the company, at risk of water shortage and drought.
In response to this situation, the company has proactively implemented various drought mitigation solutions such as repairing and purchasing additional pumps, utilizing recycled water sources and water from rivers, canals, ponds, and lakes to irrigate the fields. If the hot weather continues for an extended period, we will simultaneously operate the mobile pumping stations using diesel pumps, electric pumps, and other drought-relief pumping equipment across the entire area managed by the company.
Besides the proactive efforts of our unit, we hope to continue receiving the attention and guidance of the local authorities and the cooperation of the people to ensure that drought prevention efforts are effective, contributing to the successful summer-autumn crop production…
On the fields, struggling under the scorching sun, every cubic meter of water brought to the paddies carries the hope of saving a harvest. With the heatwave predicted to continue, the fight against drought will be even more challenging. Besides the proactive efforts of the irrigation sector and local authorities, the economical use of water, rational water management, and the collective efforts of the people will contribute to minimizing damage and protecting the summer-autumn crop production…
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/quang-tri-khan-truong-chong-han-cuu-lua-he-thu-20260702065812427.htm
