Water shortages, climate change linked to saline intrusion in Mekong Delta
The most severe saline intrusion - the movement of ocean saltwater into riverine freshwater - is said to occur in the Mekong Delta region from February 8 to 16, coinciding with the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, since Chinese hydro-power plants have reduced their water discharge, which affects water flows downstream on the Mekong River, experts have said.
Water shortages, climate change linked to saline intrusion in Mekong Delta. (Photo: VNA)
Can Tho (VNA) - The most severesaline intrusion - the movement of ocean saltwater into riverine freshwater - issaid to occur in the Mekong Delta region from February 8 to 16, coinciding withthe Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, since Chinese hydro-power plants have reducedtheir water discharge, which affects water flows downstream on the MekongRiver, experts have said.
From January 5 to 24, the Jinhong HydropowerStation in China’s Yunnan province reduced its water discharge to some 1,000 cu.m per second to ensure safety for its power grid. Discharge has remained low.
Ky Quang Vinh, a former official at Can Thocity’s climate change bureau, said climate change will be the main cause ofsaltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta in 2021. Low rainfall last year made ithard for upstream countries to store water let alone lower regions like theMekong Delta.
Meanwhile, a representative from the Ministry ofAgriculture and Rural Development said water resources during the 2020-2021 dryseason will be low and the worst saline intrusion in history has been predicted.
Chinese hydropower plants’ cutting their waterdischarge in January will make the salinity depth increase to 4g/l in the mouthof the Mekong Delta’s Vam Co River and Cai Lon River, the representative said.
According to the Southern Institute of WaterResources Research, water storage in Tonle Sap and water flows to Cambodia’sKratie province are key drivers of saline intrusion in the Delta. Water levelsin Tonle Sap and Kratie stations are, however, said to be lower than in previousyears.
It recommended Mekong Delta localities pay dueattention to saline intrusion prevention measures, such as the rationaloperation of irrigation works and reductions in drainage, saying water storageshould be completed before February 7 as this will help reduce damage whensalinity levels increase during Tet.
In response to saline intrusion, Vinh Longprovince plans to spend more than 1.65 trillion VND (71.59 million USD) onsupporting local production during the 2020-2021 dry season. It has asked theMinistry of Agriculture and Rural Development to provide more than 1.57trillion VND to dredge up canals so as to create water sources for localirrigation.
Meanwhile, relevant authorities in Hau Giangprovince are working to keep close watch on saline intrusion before, during,and after Tet, identify timely measures to support households who experiencewater shortages, and provide local people with sufficient information so they canrespond appropriately.
Tien Giang province, which was hit hard bysaline intrusion in 2020, decided to build eight dams on local canals as a preventivemeasure. The move aims to ensure water for 120,250 ha of agricultural land and1.1 million residents in Tien Giang and Long An provinces. Construction of thedams will be completed before Tet./.
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Water shortages, climate change linked to saline intrusion in Mekong Delta. (Photo: VNA) 
