Nakhon Ratchasima farmers wade through ‘rice-crisis’ as floods surge
Heavy rains and storms have hit Nakhon Ratchasima, causing significant concern among local farmers due to widespread flooding of rice fields. The continuous downpour over the past few days has completely engulfed the farmlands, thwarting the growth of the seedlings, which have just begun to sprout.
A 76 year old local farmer, Ken Tethaisong, from Sarai Subdistrict in the Chum Phuang District, revealed that the rain poured heavily throughout last night. Upon inspecting his six-rai (2.4 acres) rice field in the morning, he discovered it completely submerged in water.
“I immediately set up a water pump to drain the water from my fields as quickly as possible.”
The rice seedlings he had planted, sown just last week, have just started to sprout. Ken fears that prolonged exposure to water, or any more rain in the coming days might cause them to rot and die.
The heavy rainfall has not only impacted Ken but also other farmers across several districts in Nakhon Ratchasima.
Many have been compelled to install water pumps to save their crops from damage, as the continuous rain poses a threat to the young rice plants that are in their crucial growth phase.
Farmers across the region are working tirelessly to mitigate the impact of the flooding, praying for a break in the weather to safeguard their livelihoods.
The relentless rain has caused significant distress, with many apprehensive about the future of their crops and the potential economic repercussions.
The recent weather patterns have highlighted the vulnerability of agricultural communities to natural elements. The farmers’ dependence on stable weather conditions underscores the need for timely interventions and support to cope with such adversities, said another local farmer.
“We can only hope for better weather.”
The collaborative efforts of the farming communities, working round-the-clock to drain their fields, demonstrate their resilience and determination to preserve their crops.
Despite the immediate actions taken, there remains a looming concern about the long-term effects of such heavy rainfall on the soil and crop health. The local authorities are closely monitoring the situation and are ready to provide assistance if the adverse weather conditions persist, reported Khasod.
