Mekong Delta: Salinity intrusion is on the rise.

According to the Southern Institute of Water Resources Science, from May 25th to 29th, saltwater intrusion is expected to increase, with the deepest 4‰ salinity boundary in the Mekong Delta estuaries reaching approximately 25-30km. Local authorities in the Mekong Delta need to operate salinity control structures rationally, take advantage of opportunities to draw water for summer-autumn crop production, and closely monitor water quality before drawing water.

A salinity monitoring station in Long My district, Hau Giang province.

The Cai Lon - Cai Be sluice gate system ( Kien Giang province ) has come into operation, helping to stabilize and proactively manage agricultural production on hundreds of thousands of hectares of land in the downstream Mekong Delta.

The Southern Institute of Water Resources Science assesses that water storage at hydropower plants in the Mekong River basin is currently higher than during the same period in 2023 and 2024. The reduction in water discharge from Chinese hydropower plants from April 7th to the present has affected the downstream Mekong Delta region.

Forecasts indicate that saltwater intrusion will continue until the end of May 2025. For the upper Mekong Delta, water resources are sufficient, with difficulties mainly occurring in the high mountainous areas of Tinh Bien and Tri Ton, therefore water storage and water-saving irrigation measures are necessary. In the central Mekong Delta, it is necessary to operate salinity control and water storage facilities rationally whenever possible. When drawing freshwater or irrigating crops, the salinity regime must be carefully monitored, especially for fruit trees.

In the coastal areas of the Mekong Delta, unusual saltwater intrusion can affect water resources and production in coastal irrigation systems such as Go Cong, northern Ben Tre, and the coastal areas of Tra Vinh. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare response plans, store water, and use it rationally.

VINH TUONG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/dbscl-xam-nhap-man-co-xu-the-tang-post796699.html