The official dispatch stated that since the beginning of the year, the Mekong Delta has experienced successive periods of saltwater intrusion and prolonged heatwaves. Local Party committees, authorities, and the entire political system have proactively implemented a comprehensive range of response measures as directed by the Government, the Prime Minister, and relevant ministries. This has minimized damage to agricultural production and limited the impact on people's lives (people in some areas facing water scarcity have still had access to clean water through enhanced water supply measures implemented by the authorities).
According to forecasts from specialized agencies under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development , from now until mid-May 2024, the Mekong Delta may experience three saltwater intrusion events (from April 8-13, April 22-28, and May 7-11). The risk of freshwater shortages for daily life may continue, especially in residential areas on islands, particularly given the depletion of freshwater reserves after prolonged periods of heatwaves, droughts, and saltwater intrusion.
To ensure the supply of clean water for the people and proactively respond to future saltwater intrusion events, the Prime Minister requests: Ministers of the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, Natural Resources and Environment, Construction, Information and Communications, and the Chairmen of the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities in the Mekong Delta region, especially those with many households affected by saltwater intrusion such as Ben Tre, Tien Giang, Kien Giang, Long An, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, and Ca Mau provinces, must not be negligent or complacent, but must closely monitor the situation and continue to seriously, decisively, and effectively implement measures to respond to heatwaves, droughts, water shortages, and saltwater intrusion as directed by the Prime Minister in Official Telegrams No. 04/CĐ-TTg dated January 15, 2024, No. 19/CĐ-TTg dated March 8, 2024, and Directive No. 11/CT-TTg dated April 1, 2024. This includes focusing on the following tasks:
Continue to organize reviews and gather accurate information on the situation in each area, hamlet, and household at risk of water shortage, especially households living in coastal areas, at the end of the water supply line, and residential areas on islands, in order to develop specific and appropriate plans to ensure the supply of clean water for the people, resolutely ensuring that no one is left without access to clean water.
The local authorities should review freshwater reserves in the area to develop plans for balancing and regulating freshwater resources for domestic and production purposes, in accordance with the actual water conditions in each locality. If the water supply cannot meet all water needs, priority should be given to using freshwater for domestic use and other essential needs. Local authorities should proactively allocate budget and mobilize other legitimate financial resources to immediately implement necessary measures appropriate to the specific situation in the locality to ensure freshwater supply for the people.
The chairpersons of the People's Committees of provinces and cities will be held accountable to the Prime Minister if a situation arises where people lack access to clean water.
The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment continues to direct relevant agencies to closely monitor developments, forecast, and provide timely and accurate information on the water situation and saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta so that relevant agencies, localities, and people are aware and can proactively implement appropriate preventive and response measures, avoiding panic and preventing any unexpected or passive situations.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development continues to direct the monitoring of developments, specialized forecasting, and timely provision of information to localities and people; at the same time, proactively directing and guiding localities to implement specific measures to prevent and combat water shortages and saltwater intrusion, limiting the impact on people's lives and agricultural production.
The Minister of Construction, in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the People's Committees of provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta region, directs and implements measures to ensure the supply of clean water for people and other essential needs in urban areas and towns.
The Minister of Information and Communications directed and guided media and press agencies to continue doing a good job of disseminating information, ensuring timely and accurate information on the drought, water shortage, and saltwater intrusion situation, avoiding negligence and complacency in leadership and direction, while also preventing panic in response efforts.
Other ministries and agencies, according to their assigned state management functions, should proactively direct, guide, and support localities in responding to the risks of water shortage and saltwater intrusion, ensuring the livelihoods of the people.
The Prime Minister assigned Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang to continue directing ministries, agencies, and localities, especially the provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta region, to implement appropriate response measures to the drought, water shortage, and saltwater intrusion situation. The Government Office will monitor and urge the implementation, and report the results of this directive to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang.
Source
Comment (0)