Vietnam Central Province Declares Drought Emergency

Authorities in Vietnam’s central province of Ninh Thuan on June 9 declared a drought emergency for the first time after five months of lacking rains, state media reported Wednesday. Based on the report of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the People’s Committee declared the emergency which is effective from Jan. 1 for the all localities in the province. According to the province’s statistics, about 50,000 local people are suffering from drinking water shortage, hundreds of rice and vegetables have been destroyed and 500 cattle have died due to prolonged drought. According to country’s current regulations, Ninh Thuan will receive financial supports from the government for the losses. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development reported that since the beginning of 2015, many localities, including Phan Rang and Phu Quy in Binh Thuan province, Bac Lieu and Cao Lanh in Dong Thap province, Chau Doc in An Giang province and Can Tho city have no rain while many other places have very low rainfall, equal to 8%-32% from the annual average. If the heat will continue, a number of other provinces will declare drought emergency in coming weeks, the ministry said. The government allocated VND172 billion for the province to cope with the drought so far. (Nguoi Lao Dong – Laborer June 10, thesaigontimes.vn June 10)