Vi Thuy district and Long My town in the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang declared a level 1 state of emergency for seawater intrusion on May 6.

Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Truong Can Tuyen asked the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to join hands with relevant departments, branches and People’s Committees of the two districts to carry out drastic measures to repair damage caused by saltwater intrusion while protecting agricultural land and ensuring fresh water for people in drought-hit regions.

Vi Thuy district has closed all temporary dams to prevent seawater intruding, Nguyen Van Vui, Chairman of the district People’s Committee said.

He recommends local people store up fresh water and examine saline levels in rivers and canals, adding that borewells have been drilled to ensure sufficient water for agricultural production and household use.

Four localities in Hau Giang province have declared a saline intrusion emergency, including Vi Thanh city, Long My district, Vi Thuy district and Long My town.

VNA