On July 24, according to statistics from Lao Cai province, natural disasters caused 110 irrigation works in Tu Le, Pung Luong, Mu Cang Chai, Khao Mang, Lao Chai and Che Tao communes to be damaged to many levels.
If not repaired in time, hundreds of hectares of rice are at risk of water shortage, directly affecting the yield and livelihoods of people.
In Lao Chai commune, the Lo A Trinh irrigation project is one of the most severely damaged points. The 11 km long canal, providing irrigation water for more than 20 hectares of rice, was swept away by floods for about 500 m and more than 1 km was buried by soil and rocks. Many sections of the canal almost disappeared after the flood.
As soon as the weather is favorable, officials and workers of Tan Phu Co., Ltd. and local people urgently clear trees, dredge soil and rocks, clear the flow and reinforce landslide locations, with the goal of soon bringing water back to the fields.
For Mr. Sung A Mua (Hu Tru Linh village), this canal is the irrigation water source for more than 1 hectare of rice - the most important asset of the family.
When the project was damaged by floods, many rice areas were at risk of water shortage. Therefore, we and the people actively participated in overcoming it to soon have irrigation water for the fields," Mr. Mua shared.
Unlike the plains, the irrigation system in the highlands must follow mountain slopes, cross streams and pass through many dangerous terrains. Therefore, after rain and floods, repairs encounter many difficulties, and machinery cannot be applied simultaneously, but must be flexible according to each actual location.
At points where new routes can still be opened, construction forces are digging temporary earth canals to drain water. Landslide locations are completely installed with HDPE plastic pipes to maintain flow during the long-term repair waiting period.
Mr. Hoang Quoc Nam - technical officer of Tan Phu Co., Ltd. - said that the unit prioritizes temporary water supply solutions to avoid disrupting people's production.
Locations where earth canals can be dug will be deployed immediately. For points where canals cannot be opened, we use HDPE pipes to guide water, ensuring the maintenance of irrigation water for people," Mr. Nam said.
Currently, Tan Phu Co., Ltd. is mobilizing all technical staff to inspect the current situation, classify the level of damage and develop remedial plans for each project. Canals serving rice areas that are lacking water are prioritized for repair first.
In the time when it cannot be completely restored, the unit organizes water drainage from streams and auxiliary water sources to maintain the minimum water supply for fields, minimizing damage to crops.
For seriously buried canals, the unit is mobilizing maximum manpower to coordinate with the government to both repair the works and implement temporary water supply solutions to ensure livelihoods for people.
