According to the Southern Institute of Water Resources Planning, the high tide in mid-November is forecast to be at its highest level in 2024. The water level in the central and coastal areas of the Mekong Delta is forecast to be at a high level from alert level 2 to alert level 3 and above alert level 3.
High tides occur from November 16-19, with high water levels causing flooding in low-lying areas and main riverside areas in the central and coastal regions of the Mekong Delta.
Faced with complicated weather conditions, high tides, and floods, the family of old farmer Tran Van Chanh (Vi Thuy district, Hau Giang province) proactively protected the rice area and harvested early to reduce damage.
It is known that Mr. Chanh has finished harvesting 7 hectares of Dai Thom 8 rice variety, with a yield of 750kg/hectare. With a selling price of 7,900 VND/kg, after deducting expenses, he earned more than 20 million VND, 3 million VND higher than last year.
"If we were on schedule, we would have cut the rice in about 5 days, but I decided to cut it early because I was afraid of storms and flooding. We farm 3 times a year, this is the most important because it's close to Tet, so the profit or loss will determine whether we celebrate Tet big or small. This crop was sown early and harvested early to avoid floods, plus high prices and stable yields, so my family has a lot of profit," the old farmer said.
In Vinh Long province, the 4 hectares of rice of the family of Ms. Nguyen Hoai Ngoc (43 years old) will be harvested in about 2 weeks. Currently, Ms. Ngoc has increased visits to the fields to monitor the water level, and if the weather is bad, she will harvest early.
Ms. Ngoc said: "This crop, I sowed OM 18 rice, a rice variety that can withstand storms and storms well and has few pests and diseases. The current price of rice is 7,800 VND/kg, and the estimated post-harvest yield is 700kg/cong, so the profit is enough to pay for Tet this year."
According to the review of the agricultural sector of Vinh Long province, the whole province has harvested the autumn-winter rice crop on over 13,000 hectares, reaching nearly 40% of the autumn-winter crop area, with an estimated average yield of 5.7 tons/ha. The remaining area is in the ripening stage and is about to be harvested.
In Hau Giang province, according to the provincial agricultural sector, farmers have harvested more than 19,000 hectares of autumn-winter rice, with an average yield of 5.53 tons/ha, and the remaining area is in the ripening stage.
As of October 21, the entire Hau Giang province recorded 74.2 hectares of autumn-winter rice flooded in Phung Hiep district and Long My town, of which 3.2 hectares suffered yield damage at a rate of 15-20% on the same area.
To minimize damage caused by storms, high tides, and floods, local authorities recommend that people proactively and closely monitor developments and forecasts of rain and floods to promptly respond to unusual developments; promptly organize repairs and reinforcement of dike sections, embankments, and structures at risk of incidents or showing signs of being unsafe.
