People in the Mekong Delta wait day and night to collect water in cans.

TPO - Due to a shortage of clean water, thousands of people in the freshwater area of ​​Go Cong, Tien Giang province, have to bring plastic containers to public water taps to collect water.

According to reporters' observations, at noon on April 3rd, from the center of Go Cong Dong district, Tien Giang province to the communes of Phuoc Trung, Tang Hoa, etc., it was not difficult to see people carrying plastic containers to public water taps to wait to collect fresh water.

Mr. Trinh Minh Quoc, a resident of Phuoc Trung commune, Go Cong Dong district, Tien Giang province, carried 10 plastic containers to the public water tap in the commune to collect water to take home. Speaking to a reporter from Tien Phong newspaper, Mr. Quoc said that the canals and ponds near his house have been dry for several days. The tap water system is insufficient to supply his family's needs; the tap only produces a trickle of water, a situation that has lasted for nearly 10 days. "Every day, I bring about 300 liters of water in plastic containers two or three times to store for my family's use. The people here can only rely on this public water tap," Mr. Quoc said.

Under the scorching midday sun, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Lan, residing in Ngai Tri hamlet, Phuoc Trung commune, and her husband carried 10 plastic containers (30 liters each) to the designated spot to collect fresh water. Mrs. Lan explained that due to a lack of water, her family had purchased these 10 plastic containers for nearly 500,000 VND to collect water over the past few days. “Fresh water is very scarce here now because there’s hardly any water left in the canal. My family raises cows and goats, and without water for them to drink, it’s very difficult,” Mrs. Lan confided.

Mr. Le Van Tuan, a local resident, added that his family had previously stockpiled fresh water, but it was still not enough. Meanwhile, the water plant has not supplied a single drop of water for about two weeks now, causing a severe shortage of fresh water. After dropping his children off at school, he takes plastic containers to collect water for drinking and daily use.

According to the reporter's observations, within 15 minutes, dozens of people lined up to get water. Some brought a few containers, while others brought a dozen or more to take home.

According to local residents, the prolonged drought and saltwater intrusion have depleted their water reserves, resulting in a severe water shortage, forcing them to draw water even at night.

The irrigation canals in Tang Hoa commune, Go Cong Dong district, have dried up.

Speaking to Tien Phong newspaper, Mr. Nguyen Van Qui, Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Go Cong Dong district, said that before the Lunar New Year, the Go Cong freshwater area had abundant inland water and tap water. However, at the end of February 2024, the saline intrusion situation became complicated, leading to the closure of the sluice gate system. In addition, the area of ​​fruit trees and crops in the district requires a large amount of water for irrigation, causing the water level in the canals in the freshwater area to drop rapidly. Furthermore, the prolonged hot weather caused the surface water in the inland canals to dry up.

Mr. Nguyen Van Qui added that, in response to the situation, the district has also installed 64 public water taps (in 11 communes and 1 town) to serve the daily needs of the people.

An irrigation canal in Go Cong Dong district has dried up, as seen from above. Photo: Nhat Huy.

On April 1st, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh issued Directive 11/CT-TTg, calling for strengthened measures to prevent and combat heatwaves, droughts, water shortages, and saltwater intrusion. The Prime Minister's directive stated that, due to the influence of El Nino, rainfall has been deficient in many regions across the country since the beginning of the year, resulting in high temperatures, prolonged heatwaves; droughts, water shortages, and saltwater intrusion have occurred in several localities, especially in the Mekong Delta and the Central and Central Highlands regions.

The Prime Minister requested that localities prioritize providing sufficient water for domestic use, irrigation of high-value perennial crops, and other essential needs. Localities should identify areas at risk of water shortages to proactively implement solutions to ensure the supply of water for domestic use; no one should be left without access to clean water.

Nhat Huy

Source: https://tienphong.vn/nguoi-dan-mien-tay-ngay-dem-cho-hung-tung-can-nuoc-post1625889.tpo