ILAGAN CITY, Isabela, Febr 9 (PIA) — Provincial and municipal agriculture and National Irrigation Administration (NIA) officials of Isabela met Friday in crafting solutions and measures to mitigate the worsening impact of dry spell in Isabela particularly to rice crops.

Provincial agriculturist Danilo Tumamao said the effect of El Nino is already being felt by Isabela rice farmers particularly in areas of rain-fed rice farms.

He said the five-croppings-in-two-years scheme might also be affected when there are no measures taken to mitigate the impact of El Nino here.

Tumamao said there are at least 30,000 hectares (ha) threatened by drought since there have been no rainfall in the last few weeks.

The Magat dam reservoir has registered the below-normal water elevation level now at 176.48 meters, less than four meters from the normal level of 180 meters.

However, the provincial and agriculture officials in Isabela are prepared to lend out water pumps to rice farmers if worse comes to worst.

The NIA has also been implementing the water rotational release of water from the dam to ensure that the stored water will be enough to sustain the supply of needed water until the cropping season.

Tumamao also called on farmers to stay calmed amidst the threat brought by dry spell and use irrigation water wisely.