Need to store maximum fresh water to cope with drought and salinity

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, saline intrusion (SIP) in the Mekong Delta appeared early, higher than the average of many years and the same period in 2023, lower than the historical SIP years of 2015-2016 and 2019-2020. According to the assessment of the functional sector, SIP will continue to remain at a high level until the end of the dry season. The peak SIP periods in the Mekong Delta estuary are likely to last until April 28.

In Vinh Long , according to the provincial Hydrometeorological Station, in recent days, the highest salinity measured at Nang Am sluice (Trung Thanh Dong commune, Vung Liem district) has remained above 5‰. At other fixed measuring stations, salinity remains high. According to the assessment, this XNM period, salinity has reached the highest level in the dry season this year. However, the high salinity threshold will remain in place in the next few days.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has just issued a document requesting localities to strengthen monitoring of flood forecast information and water resources as a basis for organizing appropriate response solutions.

It is urgent to continue to advise people not to plant rice in areas that are still at risk of being affected by XNM, only plant rice when it rains or when the water supply is stable; strengthen the reasonable operation of irrigation works to collect and store maximum fresh water in the canal system, ponds, and low-lying areas to serve production and people's lives; urgently identify specific areas where people are at risk of lacking domestic water, have plans to provide enough water for people, support people in organizing water collection and water storage tools, absolutely do not let people lack domestic water or have to use water that does not ensure quality...

NGUYEN KHANG

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