Directive No. 104/2006/CT-BNN on implementing drought prevention measures to ensure winter-spring crop production in the Northern provinces for the 2006-2007 season.

DIRECTIVE

On implementing drought prevention measures to ensure winter-spring crop production in the Northern provinces for the 2006-2007 season

The Northern region is entering the dry season; rainfall from January to October 2006 reached 80-95% in mountainous areas and 60-75% in midland and delta regions compared to the average annual rainfall; river flow levels are low, with the highest flood level on the Red River in Hanoi reaching only 9.52 meters (at warning level 1); some medium and large reservoirs in Bac Giang, Quang Ninh, and Ha Tay have water levels at 50-70% of their design capacity. Currently, river and stream water levels are decreasing rapidly; on the Red River in Hanoi during the first days of November 2006, water levels fluctuated between 2.8-3.1 meters (0.7-0.8 meters lower than the same period in 2005 and 1.8-2.1 meters lower than the average over many years).

According to meteorological and hydrological agencies, the winter-spring crop season 2006-2007 will see lower rainfall than the long-term average; river and stream flows will be 15-30% below the long-term average, and the downstream Red River will be 20-50% below the long-term average, with Hanoi's water level potentially reaching 1.40 meters (in February and March 2007). To proactively prevent drought and protect winter-spring crop production in 2006-2007, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development requests:

1. Chairpersons of People's Committees of provinces and cities direct relevant departments, levels, and localities to urgently implement the following contents:

a. Inspect irrigation works, especially reservoirs, culverts, pumping stations, and repair any damage immediately to prevent water loss; focus on dredging channels, water intake gates, pump sumps, and irrigation canals at all levels, and launch campaigns to mobilize efforts for internal irrigation work to ensure water reaches the fields.

b. Assess and monitor water sources in rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, irrigation works, and groundwater to arrange appropriate crop structures and seasons, prioritizing water for daily use and animal husbandry. Strictly manage water resources and prevent leakage and water loss from reservoirs.

c. Direct the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to develop drought prevention plans, supplement mobile pumping stations when necessary, organize field inspections, schedule rotational watering, and apply water-saving irrigation methods suitable to actual conditions.

d. For areas lacking sufficient water for the entire crop season, switch to planting drought-resistant crops that require less water to ensure production efficiency.

e. Plan and implement solutions to provide daily water for the people, particularly in highland, remote, and coastal areas, ensuring that water shortages do not affect people's lives.

f. Allocate funds from economic development budgets, local contingency reserves, and annual financial reserves to implement drought prevention measures, repair infrastructure, and support crop conversion...

g. Direct local mass media organizations to organize propaganda, mobilization, guidance for the people to implement drought prevention measures. Commend and encourage entities that take proactive initiatives and innovations in drought prevention work.

h. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development shall advise the provincial People's Committee on directing and supervising relevant agencies and units to implement measures to ensure water supply, actively carry out drought prevention work, and regularly report to the provincial People's Committee and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

2. The Water Resources Administration shall coordinate with Vietnam Electricity Corporation, National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development, and related units to monitor weather changes, water conditions, droughts, and the operation of irrigation works to serve production; promptly direct, inspect, and urge localities to effectively implement drought prevention plans.

3. The Crop Production Bureau and related functional Bureaus and Departments shall cooperate with the Water Resources Administration to assist the Ministry in guiding and resolving difficulties for localities to effectively implement drought prevention work and protect winter-spring crop production in 2006-2007./.

3. The Crop Production Department and relevant Departments and Bureaus shall coordinate with the Water Resources Department to assist the Ministry in directing and resolving difficulties for localities to effectively implement drought prevention and protection of winter-spring 2006-2007 production operations./.