Reservoir 40 is one of the large reservoirs in Dak Lao commune (Dak Mil district, Dak Nong). For more than a month, the reservoir has been dry, while this is a reservoir that provides irrigation water for nearly 200 hectares of industrial crops in the two communes of Dak Lao and Thuan An (Dak Mil district).
On March 31, according to records, the bottom of Lake 40 was exposed. The entire lake is covered with cracked, dry, patches of land stretching like a golden yellow carpet.
At the bottom of the lake, there is only a small puddle of water. Here, people have dug a few small holes to dredge groundwater.
However, there are nearly 20 large-capacity pumps around this area, tangled with plastic pipes. People are ready to start a water suction machine to water crops.
Mr. Chu Gia That, head of Dak Tho village (Dak Lao commune) said that lake 40 ran out 2 months ago. While currently, many people have only watered their coffee gardens twice.
During the upcoming drought, people are in need of more water supply for crops.
Recently, the irrigation project management unit has transferred water from West Lake (centre of Dak Mil District) to Lake 40. However, the need for irrigation water for the people is very high.
Lake 40 always has about 20 pumps operating. Although the water was regulated, after only about half a day the lake ran aground," said Mr. That.
According to the head of Dak Tho village, many coffee gardens have withered leaves and branches. If there is a lack of water and productivity, the next crop output will decrease.
Mr. That hopes that the government will continue to transfer water from West Lake to Lake 40; speed up the completion of the dredging and upgrading project for Lake 40.
