Directive No. 41/2005/CT-TTg on Strengthening Work to Prevent and Combat Drought and Protect Winter-Spring 2005-2006 Crop Production in Northern Delta and Midland Provinces

 DIRECTIVE

On Strengthening Efforts to Prevent and Combat Drought and Protect Winter-Spring 2005-2006 Production in Northern Delta and Midland Provinces

The recent weather and hydro-meteorological conditions have been very complex, causing water shortages and directly affecting the Winter-Spring 2005-2006 production in northern delta and midland provinces and many other localities. The flow on rivers in the northern region is significantly lower than the average over many years. Particularly, the water level in the Red River and Thai Binh River system may continue to drop, severely impacting agricultural and aquaculture production and hindering inland waterway transportation.

The situation of water shortage and drought is likely to persist and spread widely. To proactively manage prevention, combat, and mitigate the consequences caused by water shortages and drought, ensuring sufficient water for daily life and meeting the needs for production, the Prime Minister issues the following directive:

1. People's Committees of northern delta and midland provinces:

- Direct all levels and sectors to promptly assess and inspect existing water sources and specific water usage requirements of each sector and locality within their jurisdiction; review the Winter-Spring 2005-2006 production plan and develop plans and measures to address potential water shortages and droughts to ensure stable water supply for production and people's livelihoods. Implement strict measures to prevent and handle water wastage and pollution, while formulating concrete plans to prevent and control diseases arising from prolonged water scarcity and drought.

- Inspect water conservancy projects within their jurisdiction, direct repairs to any damages to ensure effective operation of these projects; clear water intake gates, main canals, reservoirs at pumping stations, and mobilize local forces and residents to participate in water conservancy work, dredging ditches, and protecting water environment.

Increase water storage measures, promote rational and efficient water use; direct adjustments to planting schedules and crop structures in accordance with available water resources, firmly avoiding leaving any land idle; prepare necessary conditions regarding seeds, fertilizers, materials, etc., to serve the Winter-Spring 2005-2006 production, where water resources are scarce, firmly switch from rice cultivation to short-term crops and vegetables.

Actively utilize local budgets as prescribed to support drought prevention, production protection, and timely relief assistance.

- Continuously monitor weather and climate trends, water shortages, and droughts, inspect, guide, and instruct localities to formulate specific drought prevention and production protection plans for each region and area.

2. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall be responsible for:

- Strictly manage water sources, prevent leakage and loss of water from reservoirs; closely coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Vietnam Electricity Corporation in regulating and using water from Hoa Binh, Thac Ba reservoirs, and other hydropower reservoirs reasonably and effectively to serve the Winter-Spring 2005-2006 production.

Implement reasonable and effective water distribution management, schedule specific irrigation times, and organize rotational irrigation to conserve water; direct localities to review and adjust planting schedules and crop structures according to available water resources; guide localities to switch to suitable vegetable crops in areas with water shortages.

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

3. The Ministry of Industry and Vietnam Electricity Corporation shall closely cooperate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and relevant localities to develop specific plans to regulate water from Hoa Binh, Thac Ba reservoirs, and other hydropower reservoirs reasonably to ensure both power generation needs and water supply for the Winter-Spring 2006 production.

4. The Ministry of Transport shall inspect inland waterway traffic conditions on the Red River, Thai Binh River, and other rivers, implement measures to ensure safe navigation under low water levels.

5. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall direct the National Hydro-Meteorological Center to closely monitor weather and hydrological changes, provide early warnings about drought and water shortages, and promptly inform relevant ministries, sectors, localities, and the public to proactively prevent and combat drought and protect production effectively. Coordinate with the Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of Health, and localities to take preventive measures to protect water sources and treat water pollution to ensure water supply for daily life and people's living standards.

6. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development shall establish a task force for drought prevention and control headed by a Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Relevant ministries and sectors including the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Finance, Vietnam Electricity Corporation, and the Government Office shall send officials to join this task force; their responsibilities include inspecting and urging ministries, sectors, and localities to prevent and control drought, protect production, and mitigate the aftermath of drought, and regularly report to the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister requests the People's Committees of northern delta and midland provinces, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Industry, Vietnam Electricity Corporation, and related ministries and sectors to strictly implement the contents of this Directive./.

The Prime Minister requests the People's Committees of the provinces and cities in the Red River Delta and midland regions of Northern Vietnam, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Industry, Vietnam Electricity Corporation, and relevant ministries and sectors to strictly implement the contents of this Directive./.