According to forecasts from the National Hydrometeorological Center, in April 2025, it is likely that the rains of seasons in the North, North Central, Central Highlands and Southern region. It is necessary to prevent moderate rains and heavy rains in the above areas in May 6-2025. In addition, widespread heat is likely to appear in the Central Highlands and Southern regions since April 2025, later than the average of many years with the number of hot days less than the same period in 2024.
In the 2024-2025 Winter-Spring crop, the Central Highlands provinces are expected to plant about 194.2 thousand hectares of trees annually (including 91.2 thousand hectares of rice, 103,000 hectares of other annual trees), the perennial crop area is about 900 thousand hectares. According to the Department of Irrigation Works Management and Construction (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), basic water sources ensure supply for agricultural production.
However, based on weather forecasts and actual conditions, the Department of Irrigation Management and Construction also determined that in April, there may be local droughts and water shortages at some small reservoirs, dams and areas outside irrigation works with a total affected area of 4,300 - 7,000 hectares. Of which, Kon Tum province was affected about 300 - 500 hectares, Gia Lai province was affected about 1,000 - 1,500 hectares, Dak Lak province was affected about 2,000 - 3,000 hectares and Dak Nong province was affected about 1,000 - 2,000 hectares.
The Department of Irrigation Construction and Management also informed that in the first week of April, in the Central Highlands, the average capacity of irrigation reservoirs reached 45% of the expected capacity, down 2% compared to the previous week. Specifically by province: Kon Tum 46%, Gia Lai 36%, Dak Lak 46%, Dak Nong 52%, Lam Dong 73%.
There are currently 32 medium and small lakes with low water including 7 lakes in Kon Tum province, 11 lakes in Dak Lak province, and 14 lakes in Dak Nong province.
In Gia Lai province, there are currently about 76.03 hectares of rice outside the irrigation areas of irrigation systems in Adok commune, Trang commune and Kdang commune in Dak Doa district that are facing drought and water shortage. This cultivated area has been recommended not to produce in the 2024-2025 Winter-Spring crop since the beginning of the crop because the water source will not ensure water supply for production.
Previously, the Department had organized a working group to inspect the drought and water shortage situation in the Central Highlands provinces including Dak Lak, Gia Lai and Kon Tum.
In the coming time, the Department will continue to strengthen monitoring of meteorological and hydrological situations provided by domestic and foreign meteorological and hydrological agencies; organize water source forecasts, assess the impact of drought and water shortage on agricultural production to serve as a basis for organizing effective irrigation works.
