Proactively respond to natural disasters

In the context of unpredictable natural disasters, such as floods from upstream continue to cause great pressure on irrigation systems and agricultural production in many localities, functional sectors, local authorities and people have proactively implemented many response solutions with the determination to protect crops and stabilize life.

Natural disasters are complicated

In recent years, natural disasters in the province have become increasingly unusual, directly affecting people's lives, livelihoods and production. Heavy rains, thunderstorms, tornadoes, landslides along rivers, floods combined with high tides causing inundation, etc. have appeared with increasing frequency and intensity, causing much damage to property and crops.

Specifically, from the beginning of the year to August 25, 2025, in the province, thunderstorms, tornadoes, and heavy rains damaged 220 houses, 1 school, 1 agency headquarters, etc. Natural disasters also killed 2 people and injured 2 others. The total estimated damage caused by thunderstorms, tornadoes, and heavy rains is about 6.8 billion VND.

According to the People's Committee of Vinh Chau Commune, in the last days of August, heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and whirlwinds occurred in the commune, blowing off the roofs of 5 houses of people in Hamlet 4, Hamlet 1/5 and Hamlet Vam Gua, with estimated damage of more than 250 million VND. The local government immediately mobilized the police and military forces, supported people to clean up and repair their houses, and at the same time specifically counted the victims, reporting to the Provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention, Control and Search and Rescue for consideration and support according to regulations.

Mr. Dao Hoang An (Vam Gua hamlet, Vinh Chau commune, Tay Ninh province) shared: “The sudden storm blew off the entire corrugated iron roof of my house, and all the furniture in the house was soaked. Luckily, everyone in my family is safe, but now we have to temporarily stay in the kitchen. I hope to receive support soon to rebuild the roof to stabilize my life.”

Immediately after receiving information from the People's Committee of Vinh Chau commune, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment Dinh Thi Phuong Khanh and leaders of the Irrigation Sub-Department visited, encouraged, and shared difficulties with the affected households.

Ms. Dinh Thi Phuong Khanh said: “We sympathize with the losses that people have just experienced. The department will coordinate with the commune authorities to complete the documents and soon support people to overcome the consequences and stabilize their lives. In the context of increasingly complicated weather, we hope that people will proactively reinforce their houses and trim surrounding trees to limit risks and ensure safety, especially for children.”

In reality, not only storms and tornadoes, but also riverbank erosion is becoming a concern. Many sections along the Vam Co Dong and Vam Co Tay rivers and canals and ditches in the fields have eroded, directly threatening houses, roads, and even agricultural production dikes.

From the beginning of 2025 to August 22, 2025, the whole province had 12 dangerous landslides and subsidence points, with a total landslide length of about 2,599m, a land loss area of ​​about 25.9ha, affecting the lives and activities of 302 households living in the landslide area.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh (residing in Hamlet 1, Binh Duc Commune) said: “The landslide point right on the North bank of Thu Doan Canal is less than 100m from my house, the soil was washed away, dragging trees, and the road was also cracked. Everyone here is worried because the landslide is more than 50m long, 1.5m deep and can collapse more at any time. We really hope that the government and relevant agencies will soon take measures to reinforce it so that people can live and cultivate with peace of mind.”

Many rice fields are threatened by floods

In addition to the damage to people's lives, agricultural production, especially rice, is also facing many pressures when floods from upstream come. In Hung Dien, Vinh Thanh, Tan Hung and Vinh Chau communes, nearly 4,000 hectares of Autumn-Winter rice are at the seedling and tillering stage and are at risk of being severely affected. Although located in the half-dyke area, many sections of the dike are still weak, with the potential risk of overflowing and breaking when heavy rains combine with high tides.

Of which, about 60 hectares of rice of Vinh Phat Agricultural Cooperative (Vinh Thanh commune) are located in the weak, low dike area. Currently, the floodwater level has risen to the edge of the dike, so we need to urgently reinforce to avoid the risk of overflowing and breaking.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hau - a farmer in Hung Dien commune, shared: "My family's rice has only been sown for nearly a month, and the recent heavy rains have caused the floodwater to rise rapidly. I hope the authorities will soon reinforce the weak dike sections so that the crops are not damaged."

Vice Chairman of Vinh Thanh Commune People's Committee Pham Thanh Hung informed: "The commune government has directed local forces to regularly inspect weak dike sections, mobilize people and vehicles to reinforce them in a timely manner. At the same time, the commune also proposed that superiors soon support additional funds and materials to protect people's production."

Many areas of Autumn-Winter rice in Khanh Hung and Tuyen Binh communes are also at risk of being affected if the floodwaters come quickly and higher than the same period in 2024. Specifically, in Bang Lang area, KT46 canal, Khanh Hung commune, about 55 hectares of Autumn-Winter rice have been affected by heavy rains in recent days.

Mr. Tran Van Phuong (Khanh Hung commune) said: “During the last few days of heavy rain, the water reached almost to the top of the rice, so people had to pump the water out. The rice only developed leaves due to the flooding, and the rice stalks were about 2cm taller than normal, which would affect the yield. However, what I am worried about is that if the floodwaters come quickly, the entire rice area will be submerged in water, which would be considered a total loss. The reason is that these 55 hectares of rice were not sown according to the recommendations of the experts, there was no dike, and the farmers mainly saw the hilly land so they sowed the third crop themselves.”

At the 360ha dike area, Dau Sau hamlet, Tuyen Binh commune, these days, people have contributed money to buy melaleuca stakes and hired excavators to reinforce the dike. This is also the first time farmers have broken the rules to sow the third crop despite the recommendations of professional sectors and local authorities.

Mr. Tran Van Thuong (residing in Dau Sau hamlet, Tuyen Binh commune) said: “My family has 3 hectares of Autumn-Winter rice planted in a 360-hectare dike area. Seeing that in the Autumn-Winter crop of 2024, many farmers in other dike areas sowed rice with both a good harvest and good prices, earning nearly 20 million VND/ha, I decided to sow rice. We contributed 1 million VND/ha to reinforce vulnerable areas at risk of floodwaters. Growing rice without following the recommendations of the authorities is also very worrying, but seeing people around me making a living while I leave my land empty is a pity.”

It can be seen that the natural disaster situation is complicated, unpredictable and is directly affecting people's lives and production. Therefore, all levels, sectors and people need to focus on synchronous prevention and control solutions early and from afar, and at the same time consider this a common responsibility. In particular, farmers should not, for immediate profit, sow the third crop despite the recommendations of specialized sectors./.

By Staffs - Translated by Q. Thien