Vo Lao actively repairs irrigation system after floods

Vo Lao commune is one of the key food production areas of the province, with a large planting area and water resources that depend mainly on the irrigation system. However, the recent prolonged rain and storms, especially due to the impact of storms No. 10 and No. 11, have caused landslides and seriously buried many irrigation canals, directly affecting agricultural production and the livelihoods of local people.

Many irrigation works were severely damaged.

In Vo Lao commune, 11 irrigation works were severely damaged, and many others were affected.

According to statistics from the People's Committee of Vo Lao commune, the entire commune has 11 irrigation works that have been severely damaged, with estimated losses exceeding 1 billion VND; in particular, many sections of the irrigation canals have been eroded, broken, or buried by mud and soil flowing down from the hillsides after heavy rains.

In Ngau 2 village, 63 households and 16 hectares of agricultural land were directly affected by the rising floodwaters of the Vo Lao stream, causing most of the rice fields to be deeply submerged. The approximately 2-kilometer-long irrigation canal system, which supplies water for irrigation and aquaculture, was also severely impacted.

Immediately after the floods subsided, the villagers proactively divided into groups to inspect the water flow in the canals, detect leaks, dredge mud and soil, and clear weeds, contributing to protecting the canals from further damage.

Residents of Ngau 2 village are repairing the irrigation canal that was silted up after the heavy rains and floods.

Working alongside villagers to quickly clear the section of the canal that had been buried under mud, Mr. Lu Van Them, Head of Ngau 2 village, said: “In late September and early October, there was heavy rain in the village. Floodwaters carried mud, soil, and rocks, burying the village's canal. If this situation continued, the water could destroy the canal banks. Therefore, when the rain stopped and the floodwaters receded, we mobilized villagers to inspect, clean, and promptly remedy the consequences.”

To ensure the operation of the irrigation system, the Vo Lao commune authorities quickly directed the irrigation teams to implement several temporary solutions. Mr. Dao Quang Dong, an official from the Economic Department of Vo Lao commune, said: “In areas where irrigation canals are broken, the commune has instructed the irrigation teams to use HPDE plastic pipes to replace the broken or washed-away sections. For irrigation works that are flooded or have accumulated mud, we are clearing and dredging to ensure irrigation water for the commune's winter crop.”

Many irrigation canals were broken, so irrigation teams used HPDE plastic pipes to reconnect them.

According to damage statistics from the People's Committee of Vo Lao commune, the aftermath of Typhoon No. 10 caused severe damage to nearly 70 hectares of agricultural land. The irrigation system serving this agricultural area was swept away, broken, and heavily silted, limiting irrigation capacity. Although local authorities and residents are making efforts to mitigate the consequences, the attention of relevant agencies is urgently needed to invest in and upgrade the irrigation system in the near future.

A long-term plan is needed to ensure production stability.

Instead of focusing on temporary solutions, Vo Lao commune has proactively developed long-term plans to ensure the safety of the irrigation system, meeting the requirements for commercial agricultural production. Currently, the commune's People's Committee is reviewing and compiling a list of projects requiring investment in repair and maintenance, and proposing that competent authorities provide funding for implementation.

Mr. Nguyen Anh Duc, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Vo Lao commune, shared: "Taking advantage of favorable weather conditions, we have urgently reviewed the irrigation canal system; focusing on repairing and restoring the water flow. Currently, we have reported directly to the Department of Agriculture and Environment, and compiled a damage report to the Department of Finance to submit to the province for a comprehensive plan to help the people."

Efforts are being made to clear the waterways in the irrigation canals at Vo Lao.

However, according to Mr. Duc, currently, in Vo Lao commune, there are many small-scale irrigation works that were built a long time ago with simple structures; the construction methods in the past were mainly manual, so after a long period of use, they have deteriorated, causing difficulties in management, exploitation, and operation of water supply for production. Meanwhile, due to the impact of climate change leading to an increase in the frequency and intensity of floods, putting great pressure on these structures. Therefore, to ensure the irrigation system is adequate, careful planning and calculations are needed, along with thorough and long-term solutions.

Many damaged sections of irrigation canals have been repaired, bringing water to the fields in a timely manner to serve the winter crop production of the farmers.

Natural disasters are unavoidable, but with the proactive and flexible approach of the government and the solidarity and efforts of the people, Vo Lao commune is gradually overcoming difficulties and stabilizing its irrigation system – a key element in agricultural production. These timely actions not only help protect immediate crops but also contribute to ensuring long-term livelihoods for households in the commune.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/vo-lao-tich-cuc-khac-phuc-he-thong-thuy-loi-sau-mua-lu-post884872.html