(VFEJ)-The recovery cost for the irrigation systems in central provinces in the aftermath of the destructive storm Ketsana is estimated at 1.3 trillion VND (around 72.8 million USD), said an official of the Irrigation Department.
The cost projection was announced after field trips to storm-hit provinces in the central and central highlands region by a delegation from the Irrigation Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), which was led by Deputy Director Do Hong Hai.
The working visits have found that the storm damaged more than 1,400 irrigation works. Perhaps the most serious part of the problem is that more than 3 million cubic metres of dykes have been smashed.
The Irrigation Department asked the affected provinces immediately repair and reconstruct damaged irrigation works to ensure an adequate supply of water for production and prioritise budget investment for flood recovery activities.
Together with other concerned agencies, the department has sent projects to the MARD for submission to the government, asking for subsidies of electricity and petrol costs for flood water pumping and financial support for upgrading destroyed irrigation works.
Among the affected provinces, Kon Tum was the hardest hit suffering more than 563 billion VND in damage, followed by Quang Ngai with more than 500 billion VND and Quang Tri, 127 billion VND
(VFEJ, 16/10/2009)