38 Vietnamese Localities Urged to Store Water to Deal with Droughts

Vietnam’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has asked authorities in 38 provinces and cities to enhance operations of local water reservoirs to store water to deal with droughts this year. The provinces and cities consist of Bien Bien, Lai Chau, Son La, Hoa Binh, Phu Tho, Yen Bai, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Phuc, Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Ha Nam, Hung Yen, Hai Duong, Haiphong, Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, which are in northern Vietnam; Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Nam, Danang, Quang Ngai and Binh Dinh in central Vietnam, and Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Dak Nong, Daklak, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, Dong Nai, Lam Dong, Tay Ninh, and HCM City in the central highlands and southern regions. The ministry said droughts will occur in many places this year, especially provinces in the Central Highlands, the central region and the southern provinces of Dong Nai, Tay Ninh and Ho Chi Minh City. Provinces and cities should operate their water reservoirs smartly so they can store large volume of water and effectively use it. Last year, many localities, including the Mekong Delta, suffered from severe droughts and saline intrusion. (Vietnam News Agency Feb 7)