Total rainfall across the country since early 2023 to date has been at levels below the average for many years, according to a report by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said the El Nino phenomenon is expected to occur in late May 2023, early June 2023 with a probability of about 70-80% and will affect many types of weather. Detail in Viet Nam. 2023 is considered to be the year that will set many heat records due to the effects of the El Niño phenomenon.

10,000 – 15,000 ha RICE threatened by water scarcity

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the influence of El Nino often results in a lack of rainfall in most regions of the country, typically ranging from 25% to 50%. The year 2024 will be a year of severe drought, water scarcity and saltwater incursions due to the effects of El Niño, so it is now necessary to create a long-term response plan.

The Ministry of Irrigation (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) stated that at the end of May 2023, the water stored in reservoirs in the north, central highlands and south-east reached only about 40–50% of the water capacity of the water level in the reservoirs in the central region is only about 50-70% of the intended capacity.

Currently, a number of hydroelectric storage facilities regularly involved in replenishing water sources for downstream water bodies have 10-15% less storage capacity than during the years of drought and severe water shortages in 2015 and 2016, such as Ban Ve at present 38% of design capacity is in operation, A Vuong 44%, Don Duong 20%, Dai Ninh 20%, Ham Thuan 13%.

The Irrigation Department said the whole country is getting ready to plant autumn and summer rice. Through the forecasting, calculation and accounting of water sources, the total area threatened by water shortage in the coming summer-autumn harvest is about 10,000-15,000 ha, of which about 7,500-10,000 ha are assigned to the north-central region and about 7,500 to 10,000 hectares in the south-central region accounts for 3,000 – 3,500 ha. ha.

According to Mr. Nguyen Nhu Cuong, director of the Department of Crop Production, El Niño hit in 2014 and the winter-spring crop of 2015-2016 experienced a record drought. Due to the El Niño phenomenon, which is expected to last two years, the winter-spring harvest of 2024-2025 is likely to cause a terrible drought in the Mekong Delta and other areas.

Therefore, it is necessary to assess which areas are most affected and what is the capacity of production water supply. It is necessary to identify the main areas with drought, that is, those affected by drought in 2015-2016, with a forecast of water sources from now to 2025, even to 2026, to immediately take the initiative for solutions.

Mr Le Van Duc, deputy director of the Ministry of Crops, said the Ministry of Crops has sent an official message to communities to respond to the drought, following the guidance of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Fruit trees are an important group of trees for domestic and export purposes that are severely affected by drought and heat. Therefore, it is necessary for the Mekong Delta to create and save water resources from now on. Especially during periods of drought, as well as in areas without irrigation, communities are advised not to allow the planting of new crops or sanitation, as this is very risky.

For industrial crops, especially coffee and tea, it is necessary to increase the planting of shade trees and create three layers: the bottom layer is covered with grass, the middle layer is covered with coffee, and the top layer is shaded. As for the tea, it should be noted that places that have mechanized and machine-picked need to pay close attention to the hot season and extend the harvest time.

NEED A COMMON SCENE FOR MANY YEARS

Deputy Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep said the drought situation has not yet peaked. If rainfall is limited and the heat and drought persist, severe drought is expected from July through October. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is conducting assessments not only in 2023 but also for the following years to find total solutions due to the increasingly violent cyclical weather changes. details.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep pointed out that there is a need to step up forecasting work on the risks of heat, drought, water scarcity and salt water inrush through more frequent forecasting. conducting water source census and providing water source balancing solutions; Regulation between lakes and catchment areas.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has just sent a document to provincial and centrally administered city people’s committees on organizing solutions to deal with the risks of drought, water shortages and salt water intrusion.

Accordingly, the ministry proposed provinces and cities to develop an overall plan to prevent and combat drought, water shortages and saltwater intrusion for the period from 2023 to 2025, solutions to deal with different scenarios related to meteorology, hydrology and water resources due to the influence of El Nino, including the fall of El Nino with powerful and long-lasting effects such as occurred in 2014-2016.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development requires units to regularly inventory and monitor the quantity and quality of water sources in irrigation facilities and rural water supply facilities, and make specific water distribution plans for each period, and make reasonable adjustments when there is a shortage of water according to the principle, basic needs give priority (living, industry, livestock, annual and perennial crops…).

Municipalities must adjust their agricultural production structure according to the capacity of the water sources. Areas that are at risk of having insufficient water source to support the entire crop will need to adjust the planting schedule to avoid periods of drought and invasion. A severe drop in salinity coincides with the sensitive growth phase of crops.

At the same time, the strong change in crop structure from rice to plants that require less water for irrigation and are adapted to the needs of the market and transition from quantity to quality development is to be strengthened. Arrange production areas with plants that have the same tolerance for drought, salinity, and water requirements to facilitate water distribution and regulation.

There is a need to strengthen the organization and implementation of advanced and water-saving irrigation solutions for rice and dry crops, giving priority to meeting the minimum water needs in water-sensitive periods of crops, especially edible fruits and crops with high economic value.

Provinces and cities are actively using funds from the local budget and mobilizing other legitimate sources to strengthen the implementation of solutions to prevent and combat drought, water shortages and saltwater incursions. In the event that funding exceeds the capacity of the locality, a written request will be made to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Department of Treasury to summarize a summary and propose to the Prime Minister to study and support it in accordance with the regulations.