Mekong Delta to Face Serious Saltwater Intrusion by 2030

Nearly a half of the Mekong Delta region would be badly hit by saltwater intrusion within the next 14 years, said the Ministry of Planning and Investment at a meeting of the South West Steering Committee on July 11. According to the report, the saltwater intrusion would get worse if hydropower dams of China and Laos in the upper reaches of the Mekong River continue to store up water, leading to water shortages in the downstream. Agricultural production and people’s lives were seriously affected by El Nino phenomenon, the peak level over the last 100 years with prolonged hot and dry weather and severe saltwater intrusion this year. Paddy and aquatic cultivation areas were heavily damaged and output dropped dramatically. Ten Mekong Delta provinces namely Hau Giang, Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Kien Giang, Long An, Soc Trang, Ca Mau, Vinh Long, Tra Vinh and Bac Lieu reported natural disasters. Saltwater penetrated deeply into the mainland nearly 80 kilometers and affected rate even reached 23‰. Generally, the region suffered agricultural loss of over VND 4.6 trillion ($206.3 million) as the drought and salinization caused damages to 232,000 hectares of paddy, 6,561 ha of farm produce; 10,800 ha of fruits and industrial trees. Up to 226,000 households were affected by water shortage. Serious saltwater intrusion and disasters cost the growth of agricultural production in the region to fall 0.7% in the first six months of this year. Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Van Hieu stressed that the Mekong Delta will have to face impacts of climate change and saltwater intrusion in the near future if hydro-electric dams in the upper reach store up water, making the area prone to seawater intrusion. “Without effective responses, the agriculture would be exhausted within the next three years and up to 45% of the Mekong Delta region would be submerged by saltwater,” said Mr. Hieu said. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Thanh Nam revealed that the ministry had already directed regional provinces to plan a new crop with a view to taking advantage of favorable weather. In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also intended to boost production of pangasius and other aquatic species as their export prices were on the rise. (vir.com.vn July 13)