Local authorities on November 11 issued a directive calling for urgent preparations to safeguard water supplies for households, agriculture and other economic activities.
According to agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a natural climate pattern in the equatorial Pacific, has shifted into its El Nino phase.
Forecasts indicate a 100 per cent probability of strong to very strong El Nino conditions during September-November, with a 95 per cent probability of very strong conditions during October-December.
The probability of strong to very strong conditions is forecast at 93 per cent between December 2026 and February 2027.
El Nino is expected to shorten the rainy season and reduce water availability, increasing the risk of drought, water shortages and saltwater intrusion.
The Mekong Delta, north-central and south-central regions, and southeastern Vietnam are among the areas most vulnerable to these impacts.
However, El Nino may also bring episodes of extreme rainfall and flooding.
In Dong Nai, local meteorological authorities forecast below-average rainfall this year, with the rainy season potentially ending around mid-November.
Average temperatures during the 2026-2027 dry season are also expected to exceed long-term norms.
As the dry season begins, water levels in rivers and streams are expected to fall rapidly, raising concerns about shortages affecting households, crops, livestock and economic activities.
The chairman of the Dong Nai People's Committee has instructed departments, agencies and local authorities to urgently implement measures against drought, water shortages and saltwater intrusion.
The measures are intended to ensure adequate water supplies for domestic use, hydropower generation and production activities.
