Nearly 1,000 hectares of paddy field in the north-central Vietnamese province of Thanh Hoa are dying due to severe drought brought about by hot weather over the past ten days.

Large areas of rice farms across Nong Cong, Quang Xuong, Tinh Gia, Hoang Hoa, and Hau Loc Districts have been in dire need of water, according to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Water in local irrigation channels and lakes has not been sufficient for these fields, while reservoirs in these localities are also drying up.

A paddy field has withered due to prolonged drought in Thanh Hoa Province, north-central Vietnam. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Tran Sy Tuan, chairman of the People’s Committee in Cong Liem Commune, Nong Cong District, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that about 270 hectares of local paddy crop had been affected by the drought, of which a large amount has withered.

“If the problem persists, local farmers may become empty-handed,” Tuan assessed.

“This can be the worst drought to hit the locality over the past decade,” the chairman stated.

Farmers apply all measures possible to keep their paddy alive in Thanh Hoa Province, north-central Vietnam. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Many local residents have had to replace their rice farms with other crops such as corns and beans due to the harsh weather condition.

The Thanh Hoa agriculture department has requested the administrations of the affected districts to coordinate with local irrigation stations and install more pumps to distribute water to their residents.

A pump station in Cong Liem Commune, Nong Cong District ceases operation after water in its reservoir has almost dried up. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Provinces in northern and north-central Vietnam have been affected by an extreme heat wave since Sunday.

The maximum temperatures in Thanh Hoa and some other provinces have topped 41 degrees Celsius.

A pump station in Cong Liem Commune, Nong Cong District ceases operation after water in its reservoir has nearly dried up. Photo: Tuoi Tre

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