Severe Droughts in Vietnam Central Region Forecast to Last for Months

Vietnam’s central region and Central Highlands will continue to face severe droughts for many months, said the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting said. Due to El Nino and La Nina, rainfall in Vietnam’s central coastal provinces will be under the average level between April and October so the region will face severe droughts by late September, the center said. The water shortage may be easing in the southern region and the Central Highlands in June when the dry season ends, the center said, adding the rainfall in May-July will also decrease in the two regions. The severe drought will affect agriculture and livelihood of people in these regions. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has urged authorities in the affected provinces to have a plan to cope with the situations. The ministry has asked the Department of Crop Cultivation to assist these provinces and provide crop seeds for local farmers. The Central Highlands, the central coastal and the southern region are home to a number of cash crops such as coffee, pepper, and rubber, and rice and vegetables. (Nong Thon Ngay Nay - Countryside Today Mar 25)