In the face of climate change and increasingly extreme weather conditions, relevant provincial and local departments are actively implementing measures to respond to drought, water shortages, and saltwater intrusion, ensuring water resources for production and the needs of people and businesses in the province.
According to the Thanh Hoa Meteorological and Hydrological Station's forecast, from March to May 2025, rainfall in the province will be approximately above the multi-year average, generally ranging from 200 to 400 mm. Average air temperature will be approximately to slightly higher than the multi-year average, generally between 24 and 25 degrees Celsius. Early season heatwaves may occur in late April and early May, approximately at the multi-year average. Water levels on rivers will fluctuate with a gradually decreasing trend, generally lower than the multi-year average for the same period, and the lowest water levels of the year may occur at some stations. Flow rates on the Ma River in Muong Lat and Cam Thuy districts, and the Chu River at Cua Dat are likely to be approximately to higher than the multi-year average for the same period. Salinity intrusion in coastal estuaries will be approximately to higher than the multi-year average. The most severe saltwater intrusions of the year are likely to occur between March and early May 2025.
According to the Thanh Hoa Provincial Department of Irrigation, due to the uneven distribution of water resources and the increasing demand for water in both quality and quantity, the amount of water stored in irrigation and hydropower projects in the province has not reached its designed capacity. In the event of prolonged widespread heatwaves, reservoirs and dams will not accumulate enough water compared to their design capacity, and river levels will drop, putting approximately 13,300-17,200 hectares of agricultural land in the province at risk of water shortage, drought, and saltwater intrusion. Of this, 7,800-8,400 hectares are likely to experience drought affecting crop yields, mainly in the downstream areas of the canal systems drawing water from Cua Dat, Song Muc, and Yen My reservoirs, as well as the southern Chu River, northern Ma River, and downstream Buoi River areas.
In 2025, coastal areas are likely to be affected by water shortages and saltwater intrusion, impacting approximately 1,400 hectares, mainly in coastal districts, towns, and cities, as well as Thanh Hoa City in the southern Chu River and northern Ma River regions. This area includes pumping stations drawing water from the lower reaches of the Ma River, Len River, Hoat River, De Canal, Yen River, etc., with about 54 pumping stations affected by salinity, as well as those drawing water from drainage canals and main drainage channels (Hung Long Canal, Do River, Quang Chau River, etc.), and inland pumping stations. Annually, during prolonged periods of hot weather, river water levels drop, salinity levels remain high at 1‰ in estuaries and coastal areas, and intrude 18-24 km inland. Pumping stations are unable to draw water, or if they do, the water extraction time is short, about 4-6 hours, causing difficulties in supplying water for production. Operating units have to monitor tidal levels and extend pumping pipes to take advantage of water storage opportunities.
According to salinity measurements taken by the Irrigation Sub-Department at 6:00 AM on February 19, 2025, the salinity on the Ma River at Thanh Chau sluice gate (Hoang Hoa) was 19‰; and on the Len River at Lien Loc 2 pumping station (Hau Loc) was 1.5‰... According to a representative of Bac Song Ma One-Member Limited Liability Company, the company currently manages 31 irrigation pumping stations that draw water directly from rivers affected by tides and saltwater intrusion. The company's monitoring shows that 3 pumping stations are currently experiencing salinity intrusion, with the most severe intrusion occurring between February 12 and 19, 2025, lasting from 0.5 to 16 hours daily, concentrated at the Lien Loc 2, Quang Loc, and Phong Loc pumping stations in Hau Loc district.
According to Deputy Head of the Thanh Hoa Irrigation Department Nguyen Thi Anh Nga, in response to the above situation, the department has advised the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to develop and submit to the Provincial People's Committee a plan for drought prevention, water shortage control, and saltwater intrusion prevention in the province in 2025. This plan requires relevant departments, localities, and irrigation facility operators to organize propaganda and guidance for people to protect water sources, water supply facilities, and implement efficient, scientific , and water-saving irrigation methods to prevent water loss and waste. At the same time, it encourages people to actively participate in clearing and dredging canals, and to use water economically and rationally, especially during the peak of the dry season. Localities and units are required to closely monitor meteorological and hydrological conditions, regularly inspect, measure, and accurately assess water resources, and balance the water supply capacity of each headworks. Therefore, localities and units can plan appropriate seasonal schedules and rationally restructure crop patterns. Irrigation system operators should focus on maintaining and repairing structures, machinery, and equipment; maintaining the mobile pumps installed in previous years to combat drought; and planning to install additional mobile pumps, utilizing all available water sources to proactively pump water to serve agricultural production and people's livelihoods.
Le Hoi
Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/tich-cuc-phong-chong-han-va-xam-nhap-man-240996.htm
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