Natural disasters are complicated
Statistics from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Dak Lak province show that, from the beginning of the year until now, there has been a severe and widespread drought in the province; 3 storms and hailstorms seriously affected the production and lives of people in the province.
The whole province has over 27,284 hectares of crops of all kinds affected by drought and water shortage. At the peak of the dry season in 2024, there were 4,175 households in the province affected by water shortage. The total damage caused by the drought is more than 165 billion VND.
In addition, thunderstorms occurred in Ea Kar and Krong Pak districts with hail causing damage to more than 340 hectares of crop area, damaging a series of houses and schools. Total damage is estimated at more than 26 billion VND.
According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Lak district (Dak Lak province), heavy rain from July 18 to 21 caused 50 houses in Dak Lieng commune to be locally flooded. The entire district had about 326.8 hectares of summer-autumn wet rice crop flooded .
In Lam Dong province, information from the Provincial Hydrometeorological Station shows that from the beginning of the year until now, the area has had more than 30 periods of heavy rain accompanied by tornadoes, lightning, and hail. Some localities such as Lam Ha and Cat Tien districts had tornadoes, causing nearly 30 houses to lose their roofs and cause landslides on some public roads. At one time, many localities experienced drought and lack of irrigation water, affecting about 12,000 hectares of farmers' crops.
Proactively prevent and fight floods and storms
Mr. Tran Van Khanh - Director of Buon Kuop Hydropower Company - said: "The Serepok River passes through the two provinces of Dak Lak and Dak Nong. On the Serepok River there are currently 5 hydroelectric reservoirs including Buon Tua Srah and Buon Kuop , Serepok 3, Serepok 4 and Serepok 4A. When the rainy season comes, the river water rises, causing danger to people in the downstream areas if the water flow in hydroelectric reservoirs is not regulated promptly.
In the rainy season of 2024, it is forecast that the whole country will be affected by 12 to 14 storms. Of these, 5 to 7 storms will directly affect the mainland, with the risk of rain and floods. Reservoir operating units focus on organizing the operation and regulation of reservoirs to ensure project safety. In particular, the operating units will comply with the inter-reservoir operating process requirements to reduce flooding in the downstream area to ensure the safety of lives and crops of farmers."
On the other hand, currently, the People's Committee of Dak Lak province has issued a document requesting the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for comments on repairing a number of large dams that have malfunctioned and degraded. This is to ensure dam safety for people in the downstream during the rainy and flood season.
Mr. Nguyen Hoai Duong - Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Dak Lak province - said that during the stormy months of late 2024, the unit advised the Provincial People's Committee to request localities to closely monitor weather developments.
Districts, towns and cities must strengthen propaganda and guide people to proactively prevent dangerous types of natural disasters such as thunderstorms accompanied by whirlwinds, lightning, hail... Units proactively prepare standards. Equip yourself with supplies and means to serve the prevention and control of natural disasters, and strengthen the shock force at the grassroots to be ready to mobilize to help people overcome the consequences promptly and effectively.
In Gia Lai, Kong Chro, Dak Po, Ia Pa districts and An Khe town are also developing plans to regulate water downstream during the rainy and stormy season to require hydropower plants to discharge floods according to legal regulations. to ensure safety for people.
