LookAtVietnam – The Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) Hydrography and Meteorology Centre have reported that a number of major rivers and lakes in regional provinces have gradually become dry, seriously damaging agricultural production.

According to deputy director of the centre Ngo Chi Binh, Tay Nguyen would soon suffer from extreme drought after the annual dry season that occurs every March and April. “The water level of lakes and rivers in the area has been not appreciably increased by recent rains,” said Binh.

Pham Vu Tuan, head of the centre’s Forecast Department, said that the water level in major lakes and rivers in the region had reduced from 20 to 40 per cent compared with the same period annually.

“Partial drought has occurred in some localities in Dac Lac and Kon Tum provinces,” he said. “The drought has also critically threatened agriculture production in Dac Nong, Lam Dong and Gia Lai provinces.”

Approximately 885 of the total 33,000 cultivated hectares of rice, sugarcane and cassava across Gia Lai Province, particularly in the Chu Se and Dac Doa districts, have been damaged by the drought, according to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Director of the department Le Van Linh said provincial administrative agencies had called upon residents to actively dredge the canals to clear water flows.

“The provincial People’s Committee has also provided and fuel to residents for operating irrigation systems,” added Linh.

Tuan said the only thing that could turn around the drought would be early rains, which he believed would not come until the end of April.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News