Farmers in Binh Thuan Devastated as Dragon Fruit Orchards Destroyed by Historic Flood
Farmers in Binh Thuan struggle as their dragon fruit orchards completely drown in flooding, with no responsible party identified yet. On the morning of August 30, Mr. Vo Duc Nhuan, a farmer from Phu Son Village, Ham My Commune, Ham Thuan Nam District, Binh Thuan Province, had to cut off dragon fruits that rotted after a three-day flood. The flood submerged all 700 dragon fruit poles, which held about 10 tons of fruit from an off-season light-induced crop.
Farmers in Binh Thuan Struggle to Salvage What’s Left
Mr. Nhuan reported that, with the current selling price exceeding 20,000 VND/kg, the flood on August 27 caused his family to lose more than 200 million VND. “The water rose very quickly and took a long time to recede. The flood submerged the ripe fruits for hours, forcing us to cut them off. The flood also damaged the plant roots and scorched the leaves, making recovery nearly impossible,” Mr. Nhuan lamented.
Nearby, Mrs. Le Thi Hanh, another farmer in Binh Thuan, sought help from relatives and neighbors to dry out water-soaked mattresses. She explained that the water level rose suddenly at 4 a.m., leaving her no time to act. The flood submerged all her household items, including the washing machine, gas stove, and altar. Her family had to temporarily move to a neighbor’s house with a higher foundation.
Next door, Mr. Nguyen Van Dung, who suffers from a stroke and lives with his elderly mother in a dilapidated house, called for help when the flood struck, but their belongings stayed soaked.
According to the Ham My Commune People’s Committee, heavy rains and flooding affected over 300 houses in the two hamlets of Phu Son and Phu Khanh. The commune relocated people and assets from 50 flooded houses to ensure safety. Additionally, over 400 hectares of dragon fruit and other crops in these hamlets submerged, severely impacting many farmers in Binh Thuan.
Responsibility for the Flood Remains Unclear
To determine the cause of this historic flood, Binh Thuan authorities conducted several field inspections. They suspect that the nearly completed DT 719B road contributed to the flooding. However, the Binh Thuan Provincial Traffic Infrastructure Investment Project Management Board, which oversees the DT 719B road project, asserts that construction followed the design. “We widened the road’s bridge underpass, which serves as drainage for the Cat River. The old ditch was only 1 meter wide; we expanded it to 2 meters during construction. We also increased the width of the main stream crossing the road in the flooded area from 10 meters to 30 meters,” said Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hien, Deputy Director of the Binh Thuan Provincial Traffic Infrastructure Investment Project Management Board.
When asked about smaller drainage ditches blocked by the DT 719B road, project representatives claimed that they had channeled these smaller flows into the main drainage ditches. They noted that “normal rainfall will drain out, but heavy rainfall may cause localized flooding.”
Regarding the possibility that the Du Du Reservoir upstream contributed to the flooding, the Binh Thuan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development reported on August 29 that local reservoirs had not yet reached full capacity and thus had not discharged excess water. On the morning of August 30, Mr. Nguyen Huu Phuoc, Deputy Director of the Binh Thuan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that after inspecting the Binh Thuan Irrigation Works Exploitation Company Limited, they found the Du Du Reservoir was full but had not discharged excess water before the flood. The company planned to open the sluice gates from 4 p.m. on August 27, with a discharge rate of 2 to 10 cubic meters per second. Residents living along the river basin reported that water levels and flow rates had risen significantly hours before the discharge announcement.
On the afternoon of August 30, the Binh Thuan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, working with Ham Thuan Nam District, surveyed the flooded area in Ham My Commune to assess the construction, design of the DT 719B road, and associated drainage systems.
Where’d you buy Dragon fruits?
Yomex is specialized in the wholesale supply of dragon fruits to restaurants, other juice shops, supermarkets, grocery stores and importers. Delivery on site, quality assurance.
Yomex supplies wholesale dragon fruits in big quantities as customer requirement, at best price, good quality. Dragon fruit on Yomex is always available 24 hours a day when the customer has ordered it right away.
Are you looking for a reputable place that exports dragon fruits?
Come to Yomex now to import quality fresh dragon fruits from Vietnam! Yomex currently sells quality fresh dragon fruits at competitive prices in Vietnam. Products at Yomex are committed to being absolutely safe for health. With many years of experience in the field of producing and trading clean vegetables and regional specialties. Dragon fruits sold at Yomex are always of guaranteed quality and origin so you can use them with peace of mind. Contact us now to receive the best advice and support.
Email: contact@yomex.vn
Phone: +84 85 86 87 697 (Whatsapp/Wechat/Line)