Environment

Climate change presents challenges for Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta, known for its fertility and rice fields, has been facing enormous challenges posed by climate change and upstream activities, according to environmental officials.
Climate change presents challenges for Mekong Delta ảnh 1Map showing the impact of a one-metre sea-level rise in the Mekong Delta area. (Source: challengetochange.org)

Mekong Delta (VNA) – The Mekong Delta, known for its fertility and rice fields, has been facing enormous challenges posed by climate change and upstream activities, according to environmental officials.

The Mekong Delta, with an area of 3.96 million hectares and a population of 18 million, contributes50 percent of Vietnam’s total food output. The region provides 90 percent of the country’s export rice, 70 percent of fruit and 65 percent of aquatic products.

Nguyen Xuan Hien, Director of the Southern Institute for Water Resources Planning (SIWRP) , said the region’s diverse natural resources range from fresh water and saline water to soil and abundant plant and animal species.

Climate change events such as sea water rise, drought andsaline intrusion as well as upstream activities have been eroding these advantages, which may cause heavy economic lossesand threaten local people’s livelihoods.

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha said the Mekong Delta is one of the five deltas most vulnerable to climate change in the world.

According to the World Bank’s assessment, Vietnam is one of the five countries hardest hit by climate change, with aone-metre rise in sea levels likely to affect 10 percent of population and cause losses equal to 10 percent of GDP in delta regions.

The consequences of climate change to Vietnam are serious and will threaten the country’s efforts to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development.

Water resources, agriculture and food security, health, deltas and coastal areas will be impacted most by the phenomenon.

Associate Prof. Dr. Tran Hong Thai from the National Hydro-Meteorological Service, said economic activities in the upstream Mekong River would alter the water current and volume in the region in an unpredictable way.

Hydro-electric dams in the upstream Mekong River will cause water shortages in the dry season and floods in the rainy season.

Thai said the water volume in the dry season may fall by 30 billion cu.m and climate change could cause water shortages or increase flooding.

The Mekong Delta includes Can Tho city and 12 provinces - Long An, Dong Thap, Tien Giang, Vinh Long, TraVinh, Ben Tre, An Giang, Hau Giang, SocTrang, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau and Kien Giang. - VNA

VNA
#climate change #Mekong Delta #water
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

See more

Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen receives Sylvain Ouillon, Chief Representative of the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) in Vietnam (Photo: Hanoi Moi)

Hanoi strengthens ties with IRD to tackle air pollution

Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen on November 6 received Sylvain Ouillon, Chief Representative of the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) in Vietnam, to discuss potential cooperation in air quality monitoring and pollution reduction in the capital city.

Houses inundated by storm-triggered flooding. (Photo: VNA)

Central, Central Highlands localities race to recover from Storm Kalmaegi

According to Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority (VDDMA), the storm left five people dead and six injured. As of 7 a.m. on November 7, 52 houses had collapsed and 2,593 others were damaged or unroofed, including 2,412 in Gia Lai province. Nine fishing vessels were reported sunk.

High waves in Ly Son island, Quang Ngai province due to Typhoon Kalmaegi. (Photo: VNA)

Central, Central Highlands localities respond to Typhoon Kalmaegi

As Typhoon Kalmaegi, the 13th storm to hit the East Sea this year, intensifies and heads toward Vietnam’s central coast, localities across the central and Central Highlands regions, including Dak Lak, Lam Dong, Da Nang and Quang Ngai, have activated their highest-level disaster response measures to ensure the safety of people and property.

A map released at 2pm on November 4, tracking the path of Typhoon Kalmaegi (Source: National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting)

PM urges proactive measures in response to Typhoon Kalmaegi

As Typhoon Kalmaegi is expected to enter the East Sea on the morning of November 5, with sustained winds of level 13–14 and gusts reaching level 17, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has ordered ministries, sectors, and local authorities to implement the highest-level response measures to protect lives and minimise damage.

Residents in the buffer zone of the UNESCO-recognised Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam's World Biosphere Reserves eye to become ideal destinations

Vietnam's World Biosphere Reserves have truly become a rendezvous for integration, cooperation, and the exchange of information and experiences among countries and international organisations in the field of conservation and sustainable development, as well as an ideal destination for domestic and international tourists, heard a conference in the central province of Khanh Hoa on November 3.

Heavy rain and prolonged flooding have caused deep inundation, making transportation difficult. (Photo: VNA)

Heavy downpours, floods leave 37 dead, five missing

In addition, floods have submerged and damaged 7,897 hectares of paddy and crops, and 64,356 livestock and poultry have died or been swept away. Across the nation, 103 houses have collapsed or been washed away, 451 others damaged, and 12,676 flooded.

Heavy rain causes severe flooding on many roads across Nghe An province on November 3. (Photo: VNA)

Storm Kalmaegi intensifies, authorities warn of flooding and landslides

From early November 3 to late November 4, areas from Ha Tinh to Da Nang and eastern Quang Ngai are expected to experience very heavy rainfall — 200–300mm on average, and up to 600mm in some places. Areas in Ha Tinh province, the northern part of Quang Tri province, and the eastern part of Quang Ngai province may see 100–200mm of rain, with localised totals exceeding 350mm.

Farmers harvest rice in the Mekong Delta. (Photo: VNA)

Agricultural sector to cut at least 15% greenhouse gas emissions by 2035

The project on low-emission crop production for the period for 2025-2035, with a vision extending to 2050, focuses on high-emission crops such as rice, cassava, sugarcane, coffee, and bananas. It aims to pilot at least 15 farming models nationwide that are ready for carbon credits and meet international standards.

Soldiers transport rice to distribute to flood-hit residents on October 31. (Photo: VNA)

PM orders urgent support for flood-hit localities

To ensure residents' safety and prevent hunger and disease outbreaks, the PM asked the Minister of Finance to immediately allocate rice from national reserves to flood-hit communities, based on requests from provincial authorities, including Quang Ngai. Implementation results should be reported to the PM by October 31.

High tides hit many areas in Can Tho city. (Photo: VNA)

JICA provides over 9 billion VND to help Can Tho improve drainage system

Japan's Fukuoka city will share its experience and advanced technologies to help Can Tho tackle three major issues: flood damage and untreated wastewater discharge, inefficient management of wastewater treatment plants, and low public awareness about connecting private drains to public systems.