Heavy rain damages rice crops in southern Vietnam
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Mekong Delta provinces, which just recovered from a historic drought a year ago, is bracing for more unfavorable weather. Vietnamese farmers in the Mekong Delta are seeing their rice crops being damaged after heavy downpours hit the region in recent days.
Nguyen Van Cung from Can Tho City said that his family is trying to dig ditches to save nearly 1,000 hectares (247 acres) of rice submerged under water.
“We can’t harvest now because the crops are not ready,” he said.
Latest statistics showed that more than 7,000 hectares of rice in the two Mekong Delta provinces of Ca Mau anh Hau Giang have been ravaged by rain. Many shrimp farms are also threatened by flooding.
They said the Mekong Delta should expect to see more unusual weather patterns, with more rain likely coming until the end of February.Experts said the heavy rains were caused by the weather phenomenon La Nina, which came after the devastating El Nino last year.
Last year, a historic drought and saltwater intrusion damaged more than 400,000 hectares of crops and resulted in severe water shortages for 1.5 million people.
The region, Vietnam’s main rice and fruit grower, is among those most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, various studies have suggested.
Questions & Answers
Q.Which areas in the Mekong Delta have seen crops damaged by the recent heavy rainfall?
Which areas in the Mekong Delta have seen crops damaged by the recent heavy rainfall?
More than 7,000 hectares of rice have been damaged in the two Mekong Delta provinces of Ca Mau and Hau Giang. Can Tho City has also been affected by the downpours.
Q.What is causing the heavy rains currently impacting the Mekong Delta?
What is causing the heavy rains currently impacting the Mekong Delta?
Experts have stated that the heavy rains are caused by the weather phenomenon La Nina. This follows the devastating El Nino experienced last year.
Q.Are other agricultural sectors in the region also at risk from the current weather?
Are other agricultural sectors in the region also at risk from the current weather?
Yes, alongside rice crops, many shrimp farms in the Mekong Delta are currently threatened by the ongoing flooding. The region produces both rice and fruit.
Q.What significant weather event impacted the Mekong Delta in the previous year?
What significant weather event impacted the Mekong Delta in the previous year?
Last year, the region experienced a historic drought and saltwater intrusion. This damaged over 400,000 hectares of crops and caused severe water shortages for 1.5 million people.
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