The HCM City People’s Committee has told local district authorities to take steps to prevent saline-water intrusion and drought for this year's crops in suburban areas. Under the order, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will closely monitor saline-water intrusion in rivers and canals at the city’s stations, including at Nha Be, Cat Lai, Thu Thiem, Ong Thin Bridge and Kenh Xang – An Ha Canal. The agriculture department will also check irrigation works and sluice gates to ensure water supply for farming and aquaculture production, the committee has said. The department will also be responsible for training farmers in how to use water efficiently. As part of the plan, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment will inspect waste water discharge at Le Minh Xuan, Tan Tao and Tan Phu industrial parks and other production establishments. To prevent pollution of irrigation canals, the city will fine any company that does not treat waste water or does not meet waste water-treatment regulations. The People’s Committee said that rural districts would have to monitor water usage to prevent shortages, and plant drought-resistant plants. The People’s Committee has told the HCM City Irrigation Service Exploitation Management Company to maintain irrigation works, store irrigation water in fields and canals, and prepare pumps and fuel in case of drought or forest fires. According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the rainfall in the Central Highlands and southern regions in May, June and October is forecasted to be lower than average, while rainfall from July through September will be about the same as in previous years. (Vietnam News June 2)
