Keep it sweet, prevent it from becoming salty.

Since the beginning of February, saltwater intrusion in the canals has tended to increase in intensity and scope. In response to this situation, the authorities have effectively operated the irrigation system, controlling salinity and preserving freshwater to help stabilize production and ensure water supply for the people throughout the dry season.

On the afternoon of February 24th, the Cai Lon sluice gate was operated, closing 5-7 sluice gates to regulate water flow and prevent saltwater intrusion. Photo: THUY TRANG

In the days leading up to the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Horse, salinity levels in rivers and canals tend to increase, posing a risk to agricultural production and the water supply for the people. The operation of the irrigation system in the province is being carried out proactively, avoiding any unexpected or reactive situations.

At the Cai Lon - Cai Be irrigation system, the Southern Irrigation Exploitation One-Member Limited Liability Company has developed a 24/7 operation plan. Before Tet (Lunar New Year), technical staff inspected all sluice gate lifting equipment, electrical systems, generators, and reviewed coordination procedures between departments to ensure that they can handle situations when salinity levels rise.

On the 28th day of the 12th lunar month, when salinity increased rapidly due to high tides, the operating unit closed 5-7 sluice gates to prevent saltwater intrusion into the inland fields. The operation lasted four days, with staff on duty throughout the Tet holiday, rotating shifts continuously, and closely monitoring water levels and salinity hourly. The proactive closing of the Cai Lon sluice gates continuously during peak high tides and periods of rapid saltwater intrusion contributed to protecting the winter-spring rice crop, fruit trees, and the drinking water sources of the local people.

According to Mr. Le Tuong Minh, Deputy Director of the Southern Irrigation Exploitation One-Member Limited Liability Company, implementing Plan No. 2022/PA-UBND of the Provincial People's Committee on drought, water shortage, and saltwater intrusion prevention and control during the 2025-2026 dry season, the unit is flexibly regulating sluice gates, closely monitoring hydrological developments, tidal surges, and actual salinity levels on the river system. The goal is to control saltwater intrusion and serve agricultural production and aquaculture for people in the project area.

Since the beginning of the dry season, the Provincial Irrigation Department has proactively and effectively operated the sluice gate system in the province to prevent saltwater intrusion and retain freshwater appropriately according to the actual production requirements of each area at different times. The Provincial Irrigation Department recently coordinated with relevant units to operate the sluice gates and lock systems at Ba Lich estuary for two 4-day periods to reduce tidal peaks, control salinity, and store freshwater. At the same time, they organized the operation of closing the sluice gates in the U Minh Thuong buffer zone to store freshwater in the region during the final flood season of 2025.

According to Nguyen Huynh Trung, head of the Provincial Irrigation Department: “Thanks to the timely operation of the sluice gates in the Chau Thanh cluster and the Ba Lich estuary sluice gates and locks in particular, the control of salinity, the storage of freshwater for production and the supply of water for daily life for the people in the area have been ensured. To date, An Giang has not recorded any production losses due to drought and salinity.”

Along with organizing the flexible operation of irrigation sluices, the Provincial Project Management Board for Investment and Construction of Agricultural and Rural Development Projects is accelerating the progress of the T3 - Hoa Dien, Dam Chich, Phu My, and Xeo Nhau sluice projects; completing the 3-phase power system to operate 18 sluices along the An Bien - An Minh coastal line, ensuring salinity control, freshwater retention, and protection of production for the localities. In addition, regular surveys and inspections are being conducted of the temporary salinity control dam T3 - Hoa Dien on the Rach Gia - Ha Tien canal, constructed since the 2023-2024 dry season in Hoa Dien commune, to detect any problems early and take timely corrective measures.

Communes and wards are stepping up canal dredging, reinforcing embankments, and preparing plans for pumping water and building temporary dams when necessary. The relevant authorities advise people to check salinity levels before irrigation and to use water sparingly and rationally during peak periods of drought and salinity.

Monitoring and forecasting efforts have been strengthened. The Provincial Irrigation Department, in coordination with the An Giang Meteorological and Hydrological Station, is conducting saline intrusion monitoring at four locations: Thanh Loc, on the Cai San canal in Chau Thanh commune; Tac Rang, on the Ong Hien canal in Rach Gia ward; Minh Hoa, on the Cai Be river in Chau Thanh commune; and U Minh Thuong, on the Lang Thu 7 canal in U Minh Thuong commune. This is to effectively support disaster prevention and control efforts in 2026, and to promptly inform localities and people so they can proactively plan their production.

THUY TRANG

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/giu-ngot-ngan-man-a477817.html