Deploy timely and effective response solutions to extreme weather disasters, especially heat waves, droughts, and saltwater intrusion.

(Haiphong.gov.vn) – Implementing the direction of the Prime Minister in Directive No. 11/CT-TTg on strengthening the implementation of measures to prevent and combat heat waves, drought, water shortages, and saltwater intrusion. The Chairman of the City People's Committee directed departments, branches, and localities to closely monitor developments and forecast information on weather, meteorology, hydrology, water resources, and saltwater intrusion to update plans and strategies to prevent heat waves, droughts, water shortages, and saltwater intrusion.

Hai Phong irrigation works. (Illustration photo)

Accordingly, identify areas at risk of domestic water shortage to proactively organize and implement solutions to ensure domestic water supply for people, not to let people lack domestic water, in necessary cases, mobilize forces and means of water transportation to supply to people. In case of water shortage, it is not guaranteed to provide enough water for use. Priority must be given to providing enough water for domestic use, irrigation for perennial plants of high economic value and other essential needs.

Organize propaganda and guide people to proactively and flexibly store fresh water, use water economically and effectively, and thoroughly prevent loss and waste of fresh water resources.

The Chairman assigned the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, based on the direction and guidance of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, to proactively coordinate and guide units and localities to promptly and effectively implement solutions to prevent and combat heat waves, drought, water shortages and saltwater intrusion. Provide guidance on the effective operation of irrigation systems and works to collect water, proactively store water to ensure meeting the minimum water demand for irrigation of crops when there is a water shortage, and limit damage to production and business, especially agricultural production.

Guide localities and organizations exploiting irrigation works to dredge canals and reservoirs that have been silted up to restore and increase water storage capacity. During the dredging process, if there is a combination of collecting construction materials, it must comply with the provisions of law. Review and evaluate the water intake capacity of irrigation works, especially rivers with low water levels and increased salinity intrusion to proactively deploy appropriate adaptation solutions, promptly propose solutions to problems and difficulties (if any).

Due to the influence of El Nino, since the beginning of the year, rainfall in many regions across the country has been deficient, high temperatures, prolonged heat, drought, water shortage, and saltwater intrusion have occurred in some localities, especially in the Mekong Delta and the Central and Central Highlands regions. According to forecasts by specialized agencies under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in the coming time, the average temperature will tend to be higher than the average of many years, especially in the summer; heat waves are likely to continue to appear more frequently and more severely than the average of many years; the flood season in the North is unlikely to come early, the flow to large reservoirs on the Da River may be 30-40% lower than the average of many years; there is a risk of continued heat waves, drought, water shortage, and saltwater intrusion, especially in the Central and Southern regions...

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