Severe droughts are hitting Central Highlands regions, threateningthousands ha of rice and industrial crops, according to the Ministry ofAgriculture and Rural Development.

In Kon Tum province, about 600 ha of rice and vegetables are facing serious shortage of water.

Meanwhile,in Gia Lai and Dac Lac provinces thousands of ha of rice and industrialcrops, especially coffee, are facing high risk. Farmers in Dac Nongprovince do not have enough water for irrigating about 500 ha of riceand over 10,000 ha of coffee in Dac Nong province are lack of water forirrigating.

Droughts also raise the alarm for forest fires in thesouthern provinces of Dong Nai, Ca Mau and Ba Ria-Vung Tau. Localauthorities and relevant agencies are exerting efforts to prevent forestfires and preparing forces and facilities to be ready for firefighting.

In the northern region, long-lasting fierce coldweather over the past month seriously affected 4,200 ha or 70 percent ofthe total area of aquaculture in the northern province of NamDinh, with nearly 4,000 tonnes of fish and crabs already lost.

Inthe southern province of Binh Phuoc, rainstorm accompanying withwhirlwinds damaged 960 ha of rubber and cashew trees in Dong Phudistrict, causing losses estimated at 2.5 billion VND, and hundreds ofha of cashew and fruit trees in Bu Dang district.

Flood tidesrose in the early morning of Feb. 21, passing the second alarm level,submerging many roads and houses in Binh Thanh district of Ho Chi MinhCity./.