Increased salinity intrusion in the Mekong Delta concentrated from March 28 to April 2

NDO - It is forecasted that the saline intrusion will increase in the Mekong Delta from March 28 to April 2, then gradually decrease; in the Vam Co and Cai Lon rivers from March 28 to April 2 and April 27 to May 1, from May, the saline intrusion will gradually decrease. Local people need to take advantage of storing fresh water during low tides to serve agriculture and people's lives.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, from March 21 to 31, the Southwest region will have sunny days, some places will be hot, and in the evening and at night there will be showers and thunderstorms in some places. The highest temperature in the whole region is generally from 33-36 degrees Celsius, some places higher.

During the forecast period, the water level on the Mekong mainstream changes slowly and is 0.1-0.75m higher than the average of many years. The water level on the Tien and Hau rivers fluctuates with the tide. The highest water level of the week in Tan Chau is 1.40m, in Chau Doc is 1.60m, at a level 0.15-0.30m higher than the average of many years in the same period.

It is forecasted that from March 21 to 31, the water level at Vung Tau station will fluctuate at a high level and tend to increase gradually. The peak tide during this period will fluctuate between 4.1 and 4.2m. The peak tide will mainly occur between 0 and 3am and 1pm and 5pm every day.

According to experts, from March 21 to 31, salinity intrusion in the Mekong Delta gradually decreased and increased again at the weekend. The highest salinity at the stations was lower than the highest salinity in March 2024, with some stations in Ben Tre and Tra Vinh having higher salinity.

The depth of the 4‰ salinity boundary at the main river mouths during this period: Dong Vam Co and Tay Vam Co rivers have a salinity intrusion range of 40-50km; Cua Tieu and Cua Dai rivers: 35-40km; Ham Luong river: 55-60km; Co Chien river: 40-45km; Hau river: 40-48km; Cai Lon river: 25-30km.

It is forecasted that saline intrusion in the Mekong Delta in the 2024-2025 dry season will be higher than the average of many years, but not as severe as the 2015-2016 and 2019-2020 dry seasons.

High salinity intrusion in the Mekong Delta is likely to be concentrated from March 28 to April 2, then gradually decrease; in the Vam Co and Cai Lon rivers from March 28 to April 2 and April 27 to May 1, from May, salinity intrusion will gradually decrease.

Warning, the situation of saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta depends on water sources from the upper Mekong River, high tides and will fluctuate in the coming time. Localities in the Mekong Delta need to promptly update hydrometeorological forecast information and take proactive measures to prevent saltwater intrusion.

In addition, localities need to take advantage of storing fresh water during low tide to serve agriculture and people's lives.