The Ca Mau People's Committee has instructed the Department of Agriculture and Environment to urgently prepare response plans and map areas likely to be affected in order to implement timely and effective mitigation measures.
At a meeting on preparations for the 2026-27 dry season, officials from the department cited meteorological data showing that the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) shifted into an El Nino phase in September 2026.
According to the assessment, El Nino is expected to be strong to very strong, with a high probability of persisting between September and November 2026 and potentially reaching very strong intensity between October and December.
As a result, the 2026 rainy season is expected to end earlier than usual. Total rainfall could be more than 50 per cent below the long-term average, while surface water resources may decline by between 50 and 70 per cent.
Saltwater intrusion is also forecast to intensify, with water containing salinity levels of 4g per litre expected to penetrate 40-60km inland from November 2026.
The Department of Agriculture and Environment said it was urgently developing a response strategy aimed at improving preparedness and minimising the impact of drought and saltwater intrusion on local communities, agriculture, aquaculture and natural resources.
Working with commune-level authorities, the department has reviewed and updated data on households at risk of water shortages during the dry season.
The assessment found that approximately 13,770 households could face shortages of domestic water supplies or require support from centralised water systems. More than 2,300 households live in areas without water supply infrastructure, while over 4,600 households are located in dispersed residential communities where access to water services remains limited.
Le Van Su, vice-chairman of the Ca Mau People's Committee, has instructed relevant agencies to prioritise the maintenance and repair of rural water supply facilities, accelerate urgent water infrastructure projects and expand distribution networks.
Authorities have also been directed to deploy additional water storage tanks and mobilise private-sector resources to support residents in areas most vulnerable to water shortages.
