South Vietnam Faces Seawater Encroachment, Drought: Agency

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting has predicted rainfall this year might be lower than the average of previous years, thus leading to drought and seawater intrusion in the country’s south. According to a report by the center, the total rainfall in the first two months of this year in the south and the Central Highlands plunged 20-70%. There has been even no rain in a number of south-central provinces. The El Nino weather phenomenon is forecast to strike in the upcoming months. The forecaster said the rainy season will start later than usual with lower rainfall in the south and the Central Highlands. In the last two months, water flows into the upstream of Tien and Hau rivers in the Mekong Delta were 20- 30% lower than the same period in previous years. The situation will continue into March and April. River water levels are projected to be 0.1- 0.2 meters lower than the average of previous years. Meanwhile, salinity is continuing to rise significantly in the Mekong and Dong Nai estuaries. It is forecasted to be higher than in the previous years. In Tien and Hau rivers, seawater is forecast to reach as far upstream as 40-70 kilometers from the river mouths. Salinity continues to rise until March through May. (Thesaigontimes.vn Mar 9)