After each rice harvest, many roads in the Mekong Delta region are submerged in thick smoke. This situation not only causes environmental pollution but also poses a risk of traffic unsafety, causing many drivers to worry.
Recorded by reporters on some national highways and provincial roads in Can Tho City, large clouds of smoke from rice fields spread widely, sometimes completely covering the road surface. In limited visibility conditions, vehicles are forced to slow down or move cautiously.
Mr. Tuan Lap, a driver who regularly travels on National Highway 61C to enter the center of Can Tho City to work, said that the situation of people burning copper is seriously affecting traffic.
According to Mr. Tuan Lap, there are sections of road covered in thick smoke, visibility is limited to the point that it is almost impossible to observe the car in front. Just one unexpected situation is very likely to cause an accident.
Not only affecting traffic participants, smoke from burning straw also directly affects the lives of people living along the road. Ms. Ngoc Lan, who sells goods next to provincial road 922, shared that smoke regularly flies into houses, especially in the afternoon.
According to many farmers, burning straw is a quick treatment, saving costs and effort after harvest. However, experts warn that this habit not only causes air pollution but also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, long-term affecting the environment.
The risk of fire spreading from fires is also a worrying issue, especially in hot and dry weather conditions. Some cases have recorded fires spreading to roadside areas or vehicles.
Faced with the above situation, many opinions suggest that there should be synchronous solutions from the government and people. Encouraging the reuse of straw, supporting machinery for post-harvest treatment, along with strengthening propaganda about the harmful effects of burning fields are considered necessary directions.
While waiting for long-term solutions, traffic participants are advised to be especially careful when passing through smoke areas, reduce speed and maintain a safe distance to limit risks.
