Summer-autumn rice is dying of thirst

A Luoi 2 commune grows 266 hectares of summer-autumn rice this year, currently at the seedling - tillering stage. However, prolonged extreme heat has caused water levels in irrigation reservoirs, diversion weirs, and streams to drop rapidly, increasing the risk of water shortages. In several fields, standing water has disappeared, the soil has begun to crack, and rice growth has slowed, raising concerns over lower yields.

According to Ho Thuy, a farmer from Pi Ay village (A Luoi 2 commune), for more than a month since sowing, hot weather has significantly reduced water levels in local canals, making it increasingly difficult to irrigate the fields.

"People are taking every opportunity to channel water into their fields whenever supplies are available while reinforcing field bunds to minimize water loss. There have been a few thunderstorms and light showers in recent days, so we hope to see more rain to ease the drought," he said.

According to Nguyen Thi Huong, Head of the Economic Division of A Luoi 2 commune, most local residents are ethnic minority people who depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, with rice cultivation serving as their primary source of income. As a result, prolonged heat and the threat of irrigation water shortages will directly affect local livelihoods and household earnings.

Since the beginning of the season, hot weather has already prevented 4 hectares of rice from being planted. Nearly 191 hectares covered by irrigation service contracts with the A Luoi Irrigation Station have been prioritized for scheduled water allocation. Farmers cultivating the remaining area are facing mounting difficulties as water levels continue to decline.

"This summer-autumn crop was sown later than usual. To reduce drought impacts, the commune has coordinated with the A Luoi Irrigation Station to provide fuel for pumping operations so farmers can make use of every available water source. Technical staff also regularly inspect fields while encouraging farmers to use irrigation water efficiently," Huong said.

In the Quang Tho field (A Luoi 3 commune), increasingly scarce irrigation water has forced farmers to adopt various measures to maintain soil moisture, including rotating irrigation schedules, manually diverting water, and using mobile pumps.

"The rice has been growing well recently, but irrigation water is becoming increasingly scarce, so we have to keep pumping to save the crop. Over the past few days, the intense heat has made pumping much less effective. If the drought continues, rice production will certainly suffer, and yields will decline," said Ho Thanh Nhan from Quang Tho village.

So far, the five mountainous communes of A Luoi have planted more than 700 hectares of summer-autumn rice. However, rainfall has been extremely limited in recent weeks, while drought conditions have persisted. Water levels in many reservoirs, diversion weirs, and streams have fallen close to dead storage levels, even as rice enters a stage requiring large amounts of irrigation.

According to Ho Thanh Huy, Head of the A Luoi Irrigation Station under Hue Irrigation Exploitation One Member Limited Company, the five mountainous communes are served by three electric pumping stations, 63 diversion weirs, and 21 reservoirs.

Prolonged heat has sharply reduced water storage in many reservoirs while stream flows have declined considerably. Upstream water sources have dried up in several locations, making it impossible to install diesel pumps. Some areas are at risk of running out of water entirely, threatening nearly 251 hectares of rice supplied by Phu Thuong reservoir, Quang Hop reservoir, Quang Son 1 reservoir, Quang Tho 1 and 2 reservoirs, Dien Son reservoir, A Ninh 1 and 2 reservoirs, A Ra Ho reservoir, along with diversion weirs including Suoi Ven, Lien Hiep, Ka Non 1 and 2, A So 2, Chi Hoa, and A Ka Chi 2.

"A Luoi's mountainous terrain makes it difficult to store water. Without substantial rainfall, many rice fields will likely suffer damage. To minimize losses, we are closely monitoring water availability, regulating supplies efficiently, installing additional diesel pumps, building temporary weirs, transferring water between pumping systems, mobilizing staff to locate new water sources, and prioritizing irrigation for rice fields entering critical water-demand stages and those at greatest risk of drought," Huy said.

Reports from the Hue City Department of Agriculture and Environment show that below-average rainfall in the mountainous A Luoi area has caused streams and diversion weirs to run dry, resulting in localized water shortages across more than 93 hectares of farmland relying on these sources.

Irrigation works across the five communes within A Luoi are scattered over rugged mountainous terrain. Most reservoirs have limited storage capacity, while diversion weirs are designed only to raise stream water levels for intake rather than store water. Consequently, agricultural water supplies depend heavily on weather conditions. Without rainfall, the area affected by irrigation shortages could increase to as much as 253 hectares.

In response, the Hue City Department of Agriculture and Environment has issued a directive calling for stronger measures to prevent and mitigate drought, water shortages, and saltwater intrusion affecting agricultural production. The measures include maximizing the use of natural water sources from ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, and canals while conserving water stored in irrigation and hydropower reservoirs.