Environment

Saline intrusion in Mekong Delta forecast to be severe during Tet

A severe period of saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta due to lower water levels upstream is expected to fall from February 8 to 16 as Vietnam celebrates the Lunar New Year (Tet) festival.
Saline intrusion in Mekong Delta forecast to be severe during Tet ảnh 1A pond is digged to store water in response to saline intrusion (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi(VNA) - A severe period of saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta due to lowerwater levels upstream is expected to fall from February 8 to 16 as Vietnam celebratesthe Lunar New Year (Tet) festival.

Per a recent dispatchfrom the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Directorate of WaterResources, saltwater is likely to intrude to 50-70 km from the mouth of the MekongRiver at that time and 85-95 km from the mouth of the Vam Co River, with a salinityrate of 4 grams per litre. Most crops and fruit trees can tolerate a salinityrate of just 1 gram per litre.

According to theInternational Mekong River Commission and international news agencies, theJinghong Hydropower reservoir in China is reducing its water discharge by approximately50 percent between January 5 and 24.

This is the maincause of saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta.

The dispatch urgedlocal authorities to prepare for salinity and drought in January and February byclosely following forecasts and implementing preventive measures.

The Mekong Delta -Vietnam’s largest rice, fruit, and seafood producer - has faced severesaltwater intrusion during recent dry seasons.

In the 2019-2020 dryseason, intrusion of 4 grams per litre affected 1.68 million ha of land, or42.5 percent of the delta’s total area. It damaged nearly 42,000 ha of rice,more than 1,200 ha of vegetables and other crops, and 8,700 ha of aquaculture.A total of 96,000 local households also faced a shortage of clean water fordaily use./.
VNA
#saline intrusion #Lunar New Year holiday #lower water levels upstream #Jinghong Hydropower #Mekong Delta #Vietnam #vietnam news agency #vietnamplus
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