Directive No. 38/2006/CT-TTg on urgent measures to prevent and control drought and protect winter-spring crop production in 2006-2007.

DIRECTIVE
On Urgent Measures to Prevent and Control Drought for Winter-Spring Crop Season 2006-2007
The rainy season in 2006 ended earlier than usual by one to two months. Rainfall in many areas was deficient by 40-50%, with some southern central provinces experiencing deficiencies of 70-80%. River and stream flows in northern regions, southern central regions, and other localities were significantly lower than the long-term average.

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Currently, many rivers, streams, and water reservoirs are at low levels, with some areas completely dried up. Water levels on the Red River and Thai Binh River systems are approximately 1.62 meters lower than the same period in 2005 and 2.60 meters lower than the long-term average for the same period. It is forecasted that during the Winter-Spring crop season 2006-2007, over 120,000 hectares of rice in northern provinces will face difficulties with irrigation water.

According to the Central Meteorological Hydrological Forecast Center, the El-Nino phenomenon is developing, and there is a possibility of widespread and prolonged drought during the upcoming dry season in many regions across the country; saltwater intrusion is expected to occur earlier and penetrate further inland in many coastal areas.

To proactively prevent and control drought, ensure sufficient water for daily living, and meet the needs of agricultural production, the Prime Minister issues the following directive:

1. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall direct the National Hydro-Meteorological Center to closely monitor weather and hydrological conditions, river flow, and provide early warnings about drought and water shortages; timely supply information and forecasts on meteorology and hydrology to serve the work of preventing and controlling drought and saltwater intrusion, protecting production.

2. Chairpersons of People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities shall implement the following urgent measures:

a) Provinces in the Red River Delta and North Central Region:

- Inspect water conservancy works within their jurisdiction, mobilize forces and the people to participate in water conservancy activities, dredge canals and ditches, and handle environmental protection of water resources. Direct the assessment and inspection of current water sources and water usage needs within their jurisdiction to review the Winter-Spring 2006-2007 crop plan;

- Assign specialized leaders to directly lead and direct water storage measures, water-saving and rational use of water; adjust planting schedules and crop structures according to available water resources; prepare necessary conditions regarding seeds, fertilizers, materials... to effectively serve the Winter-Spring 2006-2007 crop; where there are difficulties with water sources, guide farmers to shift planting seasons, use suitable rice varieties, or switch from rice cultivation to short-cycle vegetables and food crops.

b) Central and Northwest provinces:

- Along with proactive flood and typhoon prevention, closely monitor weather and hydrological conditions to implement water storage measures in reservoirs, rivers, streams, ponds, lakes...; repair and maintain water conservancy works to ensure water resources for production;

- Direct relevant departments and levels in localities to review and assess water usage needs to develop plans and organize effective implementation of drought prevention and mitigation measures, especially ensuring water supply for human and livestock consumption in severely drought-stricken areas.

c) Provinces in the Mekong Delta:

- Along with effectively implementing Directive No. 30/2006/CT-TTg dated August 11, 2006, and other directives from the Prime Minister and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on urgent measures to prevent brown planthopper, yellow dwarf, and leaf curl diseases in rice, they must develop plans to prevent and control drought and saltwater intrusion to protect production;

- Direct the management and operation of saltwater barriers, freshwater retention, and water regulation facilities to ensure saltwater intrusion prevention; guide farmers to shift planting seasons in drought-prone areas.

d) Localities should actively use their 2007 budget as prescribed to fund drought prevention, production protection, and timely relief assistance.

- Closely monitor weather, climate conditions, and water shortages to direct and guide localities to effectively implement drought prevention and production protection measures;

3. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development:

- Coordinate with provincial People's Committees to direct the agriculture and rural development sector to strictly manage water resources, prevent water leakage and loss from reservoirs, distribute water reasonably and efficiently, schedule specific irrigation times, and organize rotational irrigation to save water; direct and guide localities to review and adjust planting schedules and crop structures according to available water resources; in areas with water shortages, guide localities to switch from rice cultivation to suitable vegetable crops;

- Closely coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Vietnam Electricity Corporation in regulating and using the water discharge from Hoa Binh, Thac Ba reservoirs, and other hydropower reservoirs to serve the Winter-Spring 2006-2007 crop season;

- Direct and guide localities to proactively prevent forest fires under conditions of water scarcity and prolonged hot, dry weather;

- Accelerate the construction progress of water conservancy projects to put them into use for production; for reservoirs under construction, if safe conditions are met, they should also store water to combat drought.

4. The Ministry of Industry and Vietnam Electricity Corporation shall closely coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and localities to develop specific plans and schedules to regulate water resources from Hoa Binh, Thac Ba reservoirs, and other hydropower reservoirs to ensure both power generation needs and water supply for agricultural production.

5. The Ministry of Transport shall direct and guide the regulation and handling of inland waterway traffic safety under conditions of low water levels in the Red River, Thai Binh River, and other rivers.

5. The Ministry of Transport shall direct and guide the implementation of traffic flow management and safety measures for inland waterway transportation under conditions of low water levels in the Red River, Thai Binh River, and other rivers.

6. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development shall establish a Steering Group for drought prevention and control, headed by a Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, with the responsibility to inspect and urge relevant ministries, sectors, and localities in their efforts to prevent and control drought, protect production, and mitigate the consequences caused by drought, and regularly report to the Prime Minister. The Ministries of Natural Resources and Environment, Finance, Vietnam Electricity Corporation, and the Government Office shall assign officials to participate in this working group.

7. Other ministries and sectors shall, within their respective functions and responsibilities, closely monitor water resources, develop proactive plans to prevent and control drought and water shortages to ensure production and business activities.

8. Mass media agencies shall cooperate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, localities, and related agencies to promptly provide information on weather, climate, and water resources so that production facilities, businesses, and all citizens can proactively implement measures to prevent and control drought and protect production.

The Prime Minister requests the People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities, the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, Industry, Transport, Natural Resources and Environment, Vietnam Electricity Corporation, and related ministries and sectors to strictly implement the contents of this Directive./.