Many reservoirs in Quảng Bình Province dry up due to prolonged hot weather. — Photo dantri.com.vn

QUẢNG TRỊ — Extreme and prolonged hot weather and drought in Quảng Trị, Quảng Bình, Nghệ An and some central provinces have seriously affected the daily lives and production of local people.

The heat has caused lower water levels in reservoirs, dams and rivers. People in many localities have been hit by a severe shortage of water, Dân Trí online newspaper reported.

In Quảng Trị Province, about 2,400ha of agricultural crops have suffered from severe drought.

The province is taking urgent drought prevention measures in order to minimise the possible damage caused by the lack of water.

The water level in reservoirs decreased sharply, reaching about 25 per cent of the designed capacity.

La Ngà reservoir, one of the largest reservoirs in the province, is drying up with only 25.5 per cent of designed capacity. This water level is only enough to irrigate over 1,100ha of rice for three communes in Vĩnh Linh District.

The crops will be permanently damaged if there is no rain soon, the newspaper reported.

The ongoing drought, water shortage and saline intrusion have seriously affected agricultural production and daily life of local residents, especially in this summer-autumn crop. Some localities have severe drought-hit rice areas including Vĩnh Linh, Gio Linh and Cam Lộ.

Hà Sỹ Đồng, vice chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, said the authorities have directed the agriculture sector to co-ordinate with localities and the irrigation company to save water and take measures to ensure stable supply of water.

Lower water levels in reservoirs, ponds, rivers and streams can also be easily seen in many parts of Quảng Bình Province.

Water levels in large reservoirs of Quảng Trạch District such as Vực Tròn, Tiên Lang and Trung Thuần districts reach only 17 to 18 per cent of their designed capacity.

Thousands of households will face serious water shortage if the drought continues.

More than 4,000ha of rice and thousands of hectares of other crops are suffering from water shortage this year.

Over the last two months, there has been no rain in many areas. Many households have abandoned their paddy fields to find other work. — VNS