VietNamNet Bridge - Over the past 3 months, a number of provinces in the Central Region, the Central Highlands and the Southern Region have not had rain. Many localities fall into a serious drought.

According to the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecast, from December 2013 until March 10, 2014, drought was recorded in the provinces along the central coast, the Central Highlands and the Southern Region due to lack of rain.

The average rainfall in these provinces was from 50-90% less than the average of the previous years. Particular, Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces in the central region, the entire Central Highlands and the Southern Region did not have rain from January to March 10, 2014.

Consequently, the levels of most rivers in the Central Highlands and the Central Region are now lower than the average. At the same time, saltwater intrusion in the Ma River in Thanh Hoa province was serious.

Meanwhile, hot weather has intensified in southern provinces and has prompted salinity intrusion to increase in rivers in the region.

The salt content in southern rivers has continuously increased since early this month, with nearly 12 grams per liter measured in the Dong Dien River in HCMC and 9.1 grams in the Cua Tieu River in Tien Giang Province, according to the Southern Hydrometeorology Center.

Saltwater in the Dong Dien River has intruded 45 kilometers from the river-mouth while Vam Co Dong and Vam Co Tay rivers in Long An Province have seen saltwater intrusion move 75 kilometers.

The Meteorological Agency predicted that from March to early May 2014, the flows in most rivers in the Central Region and Central Highlands will continue reducing, 20 - 40% below the average of the previous years. Drought will be severe in the Central Highlands and Binh Thuan provinces.

My Hang