Đồng Cam Dam, the biggest irrigation source of Phú Yên Province, has to operate at full capacity to supply water for paddy fields. — Photo vov.vn

PHÚ YÊN — The central coastal province of Phú Yên has been suffering hot weather and severe drought which might cause harvest losses, reported vov.vn.

The provincial People’s Committee has pushed all relevant agencies to help minimise the consequences of the drought.

So far, more than 4,000ha of rice has been badly affected by the prolonged drought, of which 1,000ha is at risk of being destroyed.

Đồng Cam Dam, the province’s biggest irrigation work in Phú Hoà District, has been operating at full capacity to supply water for paddy fields.

Severe drought caused paddy fields dried up. — Photo vov.vn

At present, water levels in hydropower reservoirs are very low.

“The water levels at Tam Đập, Hà Yến and Đồng Kho dams are below the minimum level so we have to pump water from rivers to paddy fields,” said Nguyễn Văn Chiến, vice director of Đồng Cam Irrigation Company.

The provincial authority has asked Đồng Cam Irrigation Company to work with other companies in the region to share water resources for irrigation, said Trần Hữu Thế, vice chairman of Phú Yên People’s Committee.

The drought is forecast to potentially worse by the end of August.

The province has asked the central Government to provide VNĐ9.8 billion (US$420,000) as aid to fight drought and saline water intrusion.  VNS