Hau Giang sets up 27 projects to counter climate change

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)

The Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang has invested in 27 major projects focusing on coping with climate change, drought and sea water intrusion.

Many have proven effective in preventing flooding in rainy seasons and drought during dry days, helping boost local production.

The provincial agricultural sector has also implemented a number of irrigation projects to serve three crops each year.

Self-contained irrigation systems have been set up for five large-scale fields covering nearly 2,000 hectares in total, helping local farmers cut production costs and increase benefits.

However, severe sea water intrusion has affected the locality over the past few days. Although it is currently within the rainy season, this is the first-ever unusual weather phenomenon over the past two decades, resulting in thousands of hectares of farming land facing salinity risks, especially crops and orchards.

Given this, Hau Giang has rolled out a plan to build around 20 anti-salinity culverts worth about 1 trillion VND (45 million USD) in Phung Hiep, Long My and Vi Thuy districts and Vi Thanh city, creating closed irrigation systems in the localities.

The province is also constructing the Song Hau Water Plant and calling for investments in another regional water plant and a fresh water reservoir in Vinh Tuong commune, Long My distict.

Truong Canh Tuyen, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, said such projects are urgent but their costs are outside the locality’s financial capacity.

He called on the support of ministries and branches to implement the projects expeditiously, contributing to easing the adverse impacts of climate change.

Hau Giang has been severely affected by the global climate change in recent years as it has experienced unusual weather developments with increased numbers of storms, prolonged droughts and serious sea water intrusion.-VNA