Severe drought in Muong Thanh basin of Dien Bien

Drought makes both people and crops thirsty

Dien Bien weather these days is as hot as fire. Dry, hot Lao winds blow through Muong Thanh fields. The heat combined with drought has caused production to stagnate. Farmers living in the highlands are facing even more difficulties. There is no water for production, even water for daily use is in serious shortage.

At noon, the sun was even hotter, the houses of the Thai people in Kha village, Nam Thanh ward seemed even more dilapidated. The shade of the trees was sparse, the hot wind blew through the village, making the trees wither. Meeting Mr. Ca Van Thien, the head of Kha village, who had just returned from the fields, he put down the bucket on his motorbike and sighed: "There has never been a year with such severe drought as this year. The water source has run out. There is no water for daily use. Since the beginning of the year, many families have dug wells, but there is still no water."

In the past, when the Thai people chose a place to settle, it was always associated with an abundant water source. Kha village is no exception. In the past, spring water and stream water flowed all year round. However, this year, right from the beginning of the year, the water from the forest was gone. The streams flowing from the mountains to Muong Thanh fields were also dry. Mr. Ca Van Thien could not hide his worry: "30 households living near the mountain lack water for daily use. In the village, there is tap water, but only the households in the lower parts have water to use, while the households in the higher parts have run out before they can even get water."

Never before have the Thai people living in Kha village fallen into such a difficult life due to lack of water as they do these days. They have tried every way, such as drilling and digging wells, hoping to have water to use, but it is not enough. Mr. Thien's family has painstakingly dug a well several dozen meters deep but still cannot get a drop of water. Every day, the members have to go to other houses to wash clothes and bathe. They also have to ask for drinking water from households upstream.

Not only Kha village, but many other villages also have households suffering from serious shortages of domestic water. Mr. Luong Van Toan, Chairman of Nam Thanh Ward People's Committee, said: "Since the beginning of the year, there has been very little rain. Meanwhile, agricultural production here depends mainly on natural water sources. The commune has also received requests for domestic water supply from the people, but has not yet found a way to resolve it satisfactorily."

Streams dry up, fields dry and cracked

Currently, the Thai people living here are worried. Every day they have to run around looking for water to eat. Meanwhile, the rice fields next to the village have also dried up this year. Taking me to visit the Tang San rice field of Kha village, Mr. Ca Van Thien, a Kha villager, became even more upset: "Every year, people can cultivate two crops in this rice field. This year, due to lack of water, the rice fields are completely dry, and we still cannot plant any crops."

In the past, every time entering Thai village, everyone felt the peaceful and vibrant atmosphere. The high and low fields were filled with water. The water wheels of the stream turned steadily, adding to the fertile beauty. That image now only remains in the memories of farmers. Each field here is now dry and cracked. Many families, out of regret for their efforts and money, tried to drain the last drops of water at the beginning of the season to plant crops. But from the beginning of the year until now, due to lack of additional water, the rice has not grown. After 3 months of planting, the rice plants are as tall as a hand span. Many rice fields have been scorched and turned yellow.

Not only the people of Nam Thanh ward, many other farming households living around Muong Thanh fields are living in extremely difficult circumstances. The widespread drought has pushed farmers into poverty in every way. Most Thai families here have very little land. For years, they have plowed and hoeed to have enough food for the whole year. This year, the spring-summer crop is considered a failure because there is no water for production.

According to statistics from Dien Bien province, the whole province currently has thousands of hectares of rice and vegetables that are in a state of water shortage; of which 363 hectares of rice are damaged by drought, in the districts: Muong Nhe nearly 20 hectares, Muong Ang nearly 20 hectares, Nam Po nearly 12 hectares, Muong Lay town 25 hectares...

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