In the second half of August, water flows of the Mekong River were pushed above emergency levels. Some 120 000 people were evacuated to higher ground, while 22 deaths were reported. In early September, the floodwaters started to recede.
Planting of the rainfed main season paddy crop, normally accounting for 80 percent of annual production, started in May. In June, rainfall was below normal and in southern parts drought conditions were developing. Dry weather continued in July causing drought in most parts, with southern and central regions being worst affected. The lack of rain seriously delayed transplanting, while seedlings and already transplanted paddy were withering. Though rain fell from mid-August, the area planted was much below that of last year and the paddy crop to be harvested from November is expected to be sharply reduced from the previous year. For the dry season irrigated crop due for planting from November, Government is promoting an increase in the irrigated area by 200 000 hectares. This would help farmers to benefit from higher yields and less dependence on weather. An expected higher output from this crop may partly offset the decline in the main crop. Thus, the aggregate paddy production for the 2002/03 season is provisionally forecast at some 4.1 million tonnes (2.5 million tonnes milled).
This production, together with a possible drawdown in stocks, will be sufficient to maintain an adequate rice supply situation from a national perspective. However, with an estimated 36 percent of the population living below the poverty line a large number of people continue to be food insecure and in need of food relief.