Hanoi (VNA) - The south-central region is estimated to have 51,000 – 70,000ha offarmlands facing a water shortage and a temporary halt to cultivation untilthere is rain or farmers switch to drought-resistant crops, according to the GeneralDepartment of Irrigation under the Ministry of Agriculture and RuralDevelopment.

The ongoingdry season is forecast to last until the end of August while reservoirs alreadyhave very low water levels.

Thedepartment has instructed provinces in the region to not grow summer – autumncrops in drought – hit areas until the rains begin.

The regionplans to grow 370,000ha of crops in the summer – autumn crop, including172,000ha of rice. Around 49,000ha of the rice crop have been sown so far.

Ninh Thuan provinceshould delay the crop in 13,000 – 15,000ha, or 52 – 60 percent of its total farmingarea, the department said.

These areasreceive irrigation water from the province’s 21 small dams and reservoirs,which are now prioritised for household use and animal husbandry.

Binh Thuan provinceis estimated to have enough water for growing 12,500ha of summer – autumn ricein Duc Linh and Tanh Linh districts, but lack water in other areas now.

Luong VanAnh, deputy head of the department, said water in irrigation reservoirs and theDai Ninh hydroelectric dam are reserved for household use, animal husbandry andirrigating dragon fruit orchards until the start of the rainy season.

Binh Thuanshould delay the sowing schedule for around 30,000ha of summer – autumn rice,or 22 - 37 percent of its total rice farming area until the end of June orthere is enough water, he said.

To mitigatethe impact of drought in the south-central region, the Ministry of Agricultureand Rural Development has drafted schedules for releasing water from the DaiNinh, Don Duong, Ham Thuan – Da Mi, and An Khe – Ka Nak hydro-electricreservoirs for agricultural production and household use.

Thedepartment has urged local authorities to take proactive measures to mitigatethe lack of water for households.

In Ninh Thuan,12,156 people and 110,000 animals will face a severe water shortage next monthif there is no rain.

The provinceplans to supply free water for household use amid a record drought, which isonly forecast to end when it rains in mid-September./.