The Mekong Delta region is sinking between 2 and 5cm per year, Lao Dong newspaper reported

The subsidence is themost serious in urban areas of Ca Mau and Soc Trang provinces, along with CanTho city. Statistics collected in more than 1,000 locations in the region indicatedthat land subsidence rate has increased.

Constructions ofhydropower plants in upstream Mekong River, saltwater intrusion andover-exploitation of underground water, are blamed for the situation.

The Mekong Deltacomprises of 12 provinces: Long An, Dong Thap, Tien Giang, An Giang, Ben Tre,Vinh Long, Tra Vinh, Hau Giang, Kien Giang, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, and Ca Mau,along with the centrally-run city of Can Tho, with a population of more than 20million.

Being the country’slargest rice, fruit and seafood producer, the region is also under seriousthreats from extreme and unpredictable sides of climate change. With a coastalline of 770km and a dense river and canal network, it has 526 erosion sitesalong rivers and coastal areas, according to the Ministry of Agriculture andRural Development.

Of the figure, 57sites, with a total length of 164km, are at a dangerous erosion level.-VNA