According to the Binh Dinh Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, 22 reservoirs have dried up, six more than last week. Meanwhile, many other reservoirs have seen the water levels fall by 14-20 million cubic metres a week.
A reservoir in Binh Dinh has dried up (photo by Doan Cong)
The ongoing heat wave has worsened the water shortage. As a result, dozens of hectares of rice in Canh An Village in Tuy Phuoc District’s Phuoc Thanh Commune have been abandoned.
Nam Cong, a person from Canh An Village, said that residents used to take water from Da Vang Reservoir for irrigation, but its water level has sharply dropped in the dry season. The shortfall means they cannot supply water for fields.
Pham Anh Tuan, chairman of the Binh Dinh People’s Committee has urged localities to take urgent measures to deal with the consequences of the drought.
Binh Dinh Irrigation Works Company, which manages 63 reservoirs, has been asked to develop an efficient irrigation system.
Tuan has also instructed the provincial departments of agriculture and rural development and labour, invalids and social affairs to consider assistance for the affected people.
