VietNamNet Bridge – The largest city in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta is the first location that has a detailed climate change adaptation plan.
The Institute for Hydrometeorological and Environmental Sciences has stated to complete a detailed adaptation plan for climate change and sea rise level for Can Tho city. The plan was carried out under a UNDP-sponsored project.

According to the plan, the average temperature in Can Tho in the late of the 21st century will increase by 1.5 to 2.5 degrees Celsius in comparison with that of the 1980-1999 period. The average rainfall will also rise by 5-7 percent.

Regarding to the sea rise level, the sea level in this area may rise by 23-27cm by 2050 and up to 59cm to 75cm by the end of the century.

Can Tho will be hardest hit by impacts of climate change among provinces in the Mekong Delta.

The Institute for Hydrometeorological and Environmental Sciences’ rector, Dr. Tran Thuc, said Vietnam is among the countries that will be most seriously affected by climate change in the world. The Mekong Delta is one of the three deltas that are the most vulnerable by the sea rise level in the world.

Last year, natural disasters caused more than 300,000 deaths and US$222 billion in damages in different parts of the world. In Vietnam, more than 350 died or went missing and over 2,300 houses were damaged, with an estimated loss of nearly VND13 trillion ($650 million) in 2010. Furthermore, severe droughts which caused the water level in Mekong River to drop to a record low of the past 20 years, badly affected crops.

TA