Flood submerges paddy fields, crops in Mekong delta

As normally, farmers produce two crops a year in this region. However, farmers sometimes try to plant one more crop which is called Autumn- Winter crop during the flooding season, hence farmers always have to keep track of the flood.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the highest level of water in Tien River was yesterday measured at 3.73 meters and that of Hau river was 3.23 meters, exceeding the first-stage warning level by 0.23 meters.

It is forecasted that as a result of flood and high tides, the water in the two rivers would continue to rise to 4 meters and 3.5 meters respectively on August 28.

The committee said that if flood water continues rising in next few days, it will devastate the crop. As per the planning, 167,000 hectare will be for fall-winter crop. Farmers are sowing the crop and keeping track on weather development.

Meanwhile in the Mekong delta province of Dong Thap, a large area of vegetable crops outside the dike is inundated by flood water. Safety measures including dike reinforcement have been taken to protect more than 20,000 ha of fruit crops in many districts such as Lai Vung, Lap Vo, Cao Lanh, said the province Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

According to the Long An province Committee for Flood and Storm Control, as the water continues to rise, necessary measures have been taken to protect the crops. In order not to suffer crop loses, the authority and the agricultural sector asked inhabitants not to grow rice out of the dike./.

SGGP News