Viet Nam: Drought - Mar 1999

According to a report issued on 11 March 1999 by the Government of Viet Nam (Department of Irrigation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), in northern mountainous and midland provinces and north-central provinces, the 1998 rainy season ended one month earlier than usual. The total amount of rainfall was only 50 - 70 per cent of the annual average. At present, water levels in rivers and streams in the north are 20 - 30 per cent lower than average. In the affected areas, 5,000 hectares of newly planted rice are threatened because of water shortages. If the dry weather persists, the drought area will increase to 15,000 -20,000 ha. Serious domestic water shortages are occurring in Ha Giang and Cao Bang provinces and mountainous areas of Nghe An province. These provinces have allocated VND 1 billion (USD 72,000) to supply water to the affected population. There are 18 provinces, which need more than VND 20 billion (USD 1.44 million) from the central Government. It is estimated that 1.7 million people lack water for domestic use, and in addition, almost 1.4 million people in 15 provinces lack food. (OCHA, 15 Mar 1999)