Mekong Delta region forecasted to witness early saltwater intrusion
The Mekong Delta region of Vietnam has been forecasted to see the early saline intrusion this year.
According to the Southern Institute of Water Resources Research, saline instruction would have an effect a month earlier than usual. The peak time of the intrusion would be between January and March. This would affect thousands of hectares of crops in the region.
Pham Tan Dao, head of Soc Trang Province's Irrigation Sub-Department, said that if the salinity level exceeds the threshold of 1.50 percent, the entire drainage system serving freshwater storage purposes would be fully closed as part of saltwater intrusion prevention measures. The province is home to 30,000 hectares of winter-spring rice.
Meanwhile, around 2,500 hectares of durian in Ben Tre would face the risk of water shortages if there is serious saline intrusion.
Nguyen Van Nghia from Ben Tre’s Chau Thanh District said that he has two hectares of durian. Over the past week, the trees have been impacted by salinity. If the saline levels continue worsening, he as well as other local durian growers will have to consider using pipes to bring freshwater to irrigate the trees.
Some 12,000-16,000 hectares of rice and 18,500 hectares of fruit trees would be hit by the salinity.
Dao added that Ben Tre’s agricultural sector has stored freshwater to support the winter-spring rice production for about 15 days. For areas where the rice has not been planted, residents are advised to switch to water-saving crops, instead.
Bui Van Tham, Ben Tre’s Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development noted that the department requested water treatment plants to take measures to ensure sufficient freshwater supply for residents.
Bac Lieu Province has three scenarios to respond to the drought and saltwater intrusion during this dry season.
According to the Southern Institute of Water Resources Research, saline instruction would have an effect a month earlier than usual. The peak time of the intrusion would be between January and March. This would affect thousands of hectares of crops in the region.
Pham Tan Dao, head of Soc Trang Province's Irrigation Sub-Department, said that if the salinity level exceeds the threshold of 1.50 percent, the entire drainage system serving freshwater storage purposes would be fully closed as part of saltwater intrusion prevention measures. The province is home to 30,000 hectares of winter-spring rice.
Meanwhile, around 2,500 hectares of durian in Ben Tre would face the risk of water shortages if there is serious saline intrusion.
Nguyen Van Nghia from Ben Tre’s Chau Thanh District said that he has two hectares of durian. Over the past week, the trees have been impacted by salinity. If the saline levels continue worsening, he as well as other local durian growers will have to consider using pipes to bring freshwater to irrigate the trees.
Some 12,000-16,000 hectares of rice and 18,500 hectares of fruit trees would be hit by the salinity.
Dao added that Ben Tre’s agricultural sector has stored freshwater to support the winter-spring rice production for about 15 days. For areas where the rice has not been planted, residents are advised to switch to water-saving crops, instead.
Bui Van Tham, Ben Tre’s Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development noted that the department requested water treatment plants to take measures to ensure sufficient freshwater supply for residents.
Bac Lieu Province has three scenarios to respond to the drought and saltwater intrusion during this dry season.
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