Saline intrusion in the Mekong Delta is projected to deepen in February. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - The Ministry of Natural Resourcesand Environment (MoNRE) has recommended localities in the Cuu Long(Mekong) Delta to closely monitor saltwater intrusion information and forecastbulletins, which are predicted to peak in February 2024.
According to the ministry, the water flow from the Mekong Riverbasin to the Mekong Delta during the dry season of 2024 is continuing todecrease, so salinisation is estimated to intensify in the fields. The deepestintrusion is expected to occur from February 10-14.
Localities in the Mekong Delta, known as Vietnam's “ricebowl”, need to store fresh water to avoid localised drought.
It is forecast that the total rainfall in the Mekong River basinwill be lower than the average for many years by between 10-20% in February,according to the representative of the Vietnam Mekong River Commission underMoNRE.
At the beginning of February, water reservoirs on the LancangRiver of China are at about 56% of the total usable capacity, with the Nuozhadureservoir at about 40% of its water capacity. Reservoirs in the lower Mekong Riverbasin are also at about 61% of their capacity.
The highest water level at the Tan Chau station in An Giang provincein February is predicted to fluctuate with the tide, ranging from 1.1m to 1.7m.
The average daily water flow to the Mekong Delta through the TanChau and Chau Doc stations in February is forecast to continue decreasing from6,000cu.m to about 3,800cu.m per second. This is lower than the average formany years and the same period in 2023, the commission reported.
Water with a salinity of 1% would intrude 9-13km deeper than the averagefor many years in the Hau, Tien and Vam Co Tay rivers and deeper than thesaline intrusion in the same period in February 2023 from 5-6km.
Saltwater intrusion with a salinity rate of four grammes perlitre is expected to enter 8-11km deeper than the average in many years and4-7km deeper than the same period in 2023.
The forecast predicts the deepest saltwater intrusion includingboth one and 4% in February 2024.
According to the Vietnam Mekong River Commission, due to theincreasingly scarce water source in the Mekong Delta during the dry season,localities in the region need to plan for rotational water withdrawal fromrivers to avoid localiaed shortages, preventing the possibility of deepersalinity.
As warned by the National Centre for Hydro-MeteorologicalForecasting, the provinces frequently affected by saltwater intrusion in theMekong Delta during the dry season include Long An, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, BenTre, Bac Lieu, Soc Trang, Kien Giang and Hau Giang.
Deputy Director of the National Centre for Hydro-MeteorologicalForecasting Hoang Phuc Lam said that saline intrusion during the dry season of2023-2024 in the Mekong Delta is expected to be higher than the average of manyyears. However, it is likely not to be as severe as in 2015-2016 or 2019-2020.
The peak of salinisation at the Mekong River estuary isexpected to concentrate in February and March, specifically around February8-13, February 22-27, and March 18-25.
For the Vam Co and Cai Lon rivers, the highest saline intrusion isprojected to occur in March and April, with peak periods around March 8-13,March 22-27, April 7-12, and April 21-26.
Lam said that the agency will collaborate with regionalmeteorological stations in the southern region to issue saline intrusionforecasts in the Mekong Delta.
Based on the local saltwater intrusion situation, provincialmeteorological stations will release forecast bulletins on saltwater intrusionon the 10th, 20th, and end days of each month.
Additionally, to support local disaster prevention efforts, someprovincial hydrometeorological stations issued an additional bulletin in themiddle of the week./.
According to the ministry, the water flow from the Mekong Riverbasin to the Mekong Delta during the dry season of 2024 is continuing todecrease, so salinisation is estimated to intensify in the fields. The deepestintrusion is expected to occur from February 10-14.
Localities in the Mekong Delta, known as Vietnam's “ricebowl”, need to store fresh water to avoid localised drought.
It is forecast that the total rainfall in the Mekong River basinwill be lower than the average for many years by between 10-20% in February,according to the representative of the Vietnam Mekong River Commission underMoNRE.
At the beginning of February, water reservoirs on the LancangRiver of China are at about 56% of the total usable capacity, with the Nuozhadureservoir at about 40% of its water capacity. Reservoirs in the lower Mekong Riverbasin are also at about 61% of their capacity.
The highest water level at the Tan Chau station in An Giang provincein February is predicted to fluctuate with the tide, ranging from 1.1m to 1.7m.
The average daily water flow to the Mekong Delta through the TanChau and Chau Doc stations in February is forecast to continue decreasing from6,000cu.m to about 3,800cu.m per second. This is lower than the average formany years and the same period in 2023, the commission reported.
Water with a salinity of 1% would intrude 9-13km deeper than the averagefor many years in the Hau, Tien and Vam Co Tay rivers and deeper than thesaline intrusion in the same period in February 2023 from 5-6km.
Saltwater intrusion with a salinity rate of four grammes perlitre is expected to enter 8-11km deeper than the average in many years and4-7km deeper than the same period in 2023.
The forecast predicts the deepest saltwater intrusion includingboth one and 4% in February 2024.
According to the Vietnam Mekong River Commission, due to theincreasingly scarce water source in the Mekong Delta during the dry season,localities in the region need to plan for rotational water withdrawal fromrivers to avoid localiaed shortages, preventing the possibility of deepersalinity.
As warned by the National Centre for Hydro-MeteorologicalForecasting, the provinces frequently affected by saltwater intrusion in theMekong Delta during the dry season include Long An, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, BenTre, Bac Lieu, Soc Trang, Kien Giang and Hau Giang.
Deputy Director of the National Centre for Hydro-MeteorologicalForecasting Hoang Phuc Lam said that saline intrusion during the dry season of2023-2024 in the Mekong Delta is expected to be higher than the average of manyyears. However, it is likely not to be as severe as in 2015-2016 or 2019-2020.
The peak of salinisation at the Mekong River estuary isexpected to concentrate in February and March, specifically around February8-13, February 22-27, and March 18-25.
For the Vam Co and Cai Lon rivers, the highest saline intrusion isprojected to occur in March and April, with peak periods around March 8-13,March 22-27, April 7-12, and April 21-26.
Lam said that the agency will collaborate with regionalmeteorological stations in the southern region to issue saline intrusionforecasts in the Mekong Delta.
Based on the local saltwater intrusion situation, provincialmeteorological stations will release forecast bulletins on saltwater intrusionon the 10th, 20th, and end days of each month.
Additionally, to support local disaster prevention efforts, someprovincial hydrometeorological stations issued an additional bulletin in themiddle of the week./.
VNA
