Drought protection for crops

Quang Xuong Irrigation Branch (Song Chu One Member Co., Ltd.) proactively provides irrigation water for people to sow the autumn crop.

In the 2025 autumn-winter crop, Nong Cong Irrigation Branch under Song Chu One Member Co., Ltd. plans to provide irrigation water for more than 9,400 hectares of rice in the communes of Nong Cong, Thang Loi, Truong Van, Thang Binh, Tuong Linh, Cong Chinh... Right from the beginning of the crop, the branch has established irrigation plans and drought prevention plans for all detailed clusters down to each project to have reasonable and proactive management measures in all cases of adverse weather. Along with that, the branch regularly inspects, maintains projects, prepares spare parts and materials for pumping stations ready to pump water to fight drought. At the same time, the branch has coordinated with the communes to review and prepare oil pumps ready for use to pump water to fight drought.

Mr. Tran Van Hanh, Director of Nong Cong Irrigation Branch, said: “When drought occurs, the water source does not meet irrigation requirements, causing some areas of high fields and canal tails to lack irrigation water. Based on the actual situation, the branch gathers all officers and employees, based on the company's water distribution schedule on the canal systems of South Chu River, N8 Chu River, North Muc River and South Muc River to divide into irrigation periods to increase water head to drought-stricken areas. In areas of local drought far from the irrigation canal system, the branch uses oil pumps to promptly pump water to fight drought.”

As of July 5, the whole province has planted 107,700 hectares out of 152,000 hectares of autumn-spring crops, reaching 70.9% of the plan. Of which, the planted rice area is 95,000 hectares; corn 5,300 hectares; peanuts 550 hectares; sweet potatoes 242 hectares; beans 4,664 hectares and other crops 1,987 hectares. According to the Irrigation Department, in case of prolonged heat over a large area, lakes and dams will not store enough water compared to the design, the river water level will drop. The province is at risk of water shortage, drought, and saltwater intrusion with an area of about 13,300 hectares to 17,200 hectares. Of which, the area likely to be affected by drought affecting crop productivity is from 7,900 - 8,700 hectares, concentrated in areas such as: Water supply areas from large lakes and dams, mainly in the tail of canal systems taking water from Cua Dat Lake (Bai Thuong system, North Chu River - South Ma River system), Muc River Lake, Yen My Lake. Water supply areas from lakes, dams, small irrigation works in the midland and mountainous areas of the South Chu River, North Ma River, downstream Buoi River and some areas with excess water but lacking water storage works. Water supply areas from electric pumping stations in the South Chu River, North Ma River.

Through annual monitoring by the Irrigation Department, when the heat wave lasts over a large area and the river water level drops, the units managing and operating irrigation works must extend the pump pipes or use additional oil pumps to add water to the suction tank... to supply water for production. Especially the pumping stations taking water from the main stream of the Ma River (downstream of Cam Thuy 1 Hydropower Plant) with 62 irrigation pumping stations and 13 pumping stations taking water from the Chu River.

Faced with the above situation, the Irrigation Department is actively informing and propagating about the water resources situation, saltwater intrusion to the people and the impact of climate change on drought and water shortage, in order to raise people's awareness in using water economically. At the same time, mobilizing people to coordinate with units managing and exploiting irrigation works to collect, store and use water economically and effectively, ensuring good growth and development of crops. Units managing and exploiting irrigation works deploy solutions to prevent and combat drought, water shortage, saltwater intrusion, ensuring water sources for production. Units proactively coordinate with communes, wards and electricity to be given priority in supplying electricity to pumping stations when there is a need to pump water to prevent and combat drought.

Article and photos: Le Hoi

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/chong-han-cho-cay-trong-254626.htm