Drought wreaks havoc on paddy fields in North and Northeast

[rooster59]

Drought wreaks havoc on paddy fields in North and Northeast

PHAYAO, 6 November 2015 (NNT) – Rice farms across the northern and northeastern regions have sustained heavy losses due to severe drought while local authorities are striving to reach out to all those affected.

A farmer in Huai Lan sub-district, Dok Khamtai district, Phayao province, claimed that most rice crops on his farm which had just begun to bear grains were destroyed by the prolonged drought. According to him, the current dry spell is considered the harshest in several years, causing extensive losses on over 1,000 rai of paddy fields in the area.

A similar situation has been reported in Tha Bo district of Nong Khai province, where rice farmers are forced to harvest earlier than usual so as to safeguard against damage from drought.

Meanwhile, in Nong Khai, the provincial irrigation office has convened with related authorities to discuss a plan to set aside a budget of 6 million baht for the program to provide supplementary jobs for drought-affected farmers. The worsening situation in the area earlier prompted the irrigation office to suspend its release of water for agriculture, leaving the local farmers with no option but to stop their cultivation.

-- NNT 2015-11-07

[JoePai]

Had some rain last night in Udon

[Just1Voice]

And next year is going to be even worse, thanks to El Nino.

[villagefarang]

The fields around us are looking great. We had rain a couple days ago and the farmers were not too happy about that because they were afraid it would damage the rice. A couple days of clear skies and rice is standing straight and tall with some fields already being harvested.

This year different planting methods were used so there is an interesting patchwork of colors, heights and stages of growth.

Edited November 7, 2015 by villagefarang

[sceadugenga]

They,ve staggered the planting times here as well, I cannot work it out unless they hope to average out the seasonal prices.

[villagefarang]

In our area some farmers used the broadcasting or direct seeding method after the first rain. That is risky if there ends up being too much or too little water after that. Others planted seedbeds and transplanted later after the fields were flooded. Everyone was lucky this year but with at least two different kinds of rice, the different methods and the timing due to water levels in various fields there is a less homogeneous pattern to the fields this year.

[Mudcrab]

And next year is going to be even worse, thanks to El Nino.

yeah right...blame the farang.

[gazzasore]

2mm of Rain in Khon Kaen last night

[Coota]

The paddies are still underwater here in Surin, we had the wettest wet season for a long time. It rained nearly all night 2 nights ago......again. It was so bad this year the wife has given me permission to go live in Pattaya next wet season. I was going mad, mossies, fevers, mould.....

[villagefarang]

The rice out behind our pond is ready but the harvesters are busy with other fields at the moment. A shot from this morning.

[villagefarang]

More rain approaching from the South. Some fields already harvested while others wait their turn. There is still standing water in the fields so the farmers will not be happy if it rains hard again today.

[wolfmuc]

North of Phrae we have a similiar situation, but additionally the first fires. - Pictures were taken at the same time, looking West and North.