It's Been A Week, 2,802 Hectares Of Rice Fields In North Aceh Have Been Submerged By Floods, 43 Hectares Are Confirmed To Have Failed To Harvest

People's rice fields were flooded in Lhok Seuntang Village, Julok District, East Aceh Regency, Thursday (6/1/2021). BETWEEN/HO

BANDA ACEH - The Agriculture and Food Service of North Aceh Regency noted that an area of 2,802 hectares of rice fields has been flooded in the area since the past week.

Head of the Agriculture and Food Service of North Aceh Regency, Erwandi, said that of the 2,802 hectares of flooded rice fields, 43 hectares of which have been confirmed as crop failure or puso.

"Thousands of hectares of flooded rice fields are spread over 13 sub-districts in North Aceh Regency. An area of 43 hectares of them has failed to harvest or puso," said Erwandi in Lhokseumawe, as reported by Antara, Monday, January 10.

He detailed the flooded rice fields in the Stepan District with an area of 40 hectares, Baktiya District 555 hectares, and Tanah Area 200 hectares.

Next in Syamtalira Bayu District with an area of 41 hectares, Meurah Mulia District with an area of 135 hectares, Tanah Pasir District 20 hectares, Lhoksukon District with an area of 594 hectares.

And in East Pirak District with an area of 220 hectares, West Baktiya District with an area of 835 hectares, Cot Girek District covering an area of 30 hectares, Seunuddon District with an area of 28 hectares, Banda Baro District with 34 hectares and Nisam District with an area of 70 hectares.

"Meanwhile, 43 hectares of rice plants experienced a puso spread across three sub-districts, namely Syamtalira Bayu District with an area of 12 hectares, Meurah Mulia District with 28 hectares, and Seunuddon District covering an area of three hectares," said Erwandi.

The area of flooded rice fields and puso rice may still increase, considering that currently officers are still recording data in the field.

"Potential damage or puso occurs if the puddles soak for more than three days. Because the rice stalks will tend to be damaged and rot," said Erwandi.

Erwandi said the age of rice in the flooded rice fields varied because rice planting in North Aceh Regency was not simultaneous.

"The age of rice varies, starting from planting to entering the harvest season. The planting schedule is not simultaneous. For losses, the data is still being collected," said Erwandi.