VietNamNet Bridge - The saltwater intrusion and widespread drought have left millions of people of the south, central region and the Central Highlands in danger because of serious water shortages.

 

According to the Southern Water Resources Institute, the saltwater intrusion in the southern region, including HCM City, came early this year and may last until the end of the dry season. 

The widespread saltwater intrusion and severe drought will affect the water supply for daily use and irrigation.

The Mekong River water level is decreasing day by day. The water shortage in Kien Giang province is predicted to be more serious this year as it located downstream. 

According to the Southern Water Resources Institute, the saltwater intrusion in the southern region, including HCM City, came early this year and may last until the end of the dry season.

Though the dry season has just begun, the lack of fresh water has occurred in many localities of the province, especially in U Minh Thuong and island district.

Do Minh Nhut, deputy director of the Kien Giang provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the province needs VND50 billion to build water reservoirs to store water for daily use and agricultual production in U Minh Thuong. However, it is still unclear how to arrange the capital.

As for the island district, the department has asked the provincial authorities to prop up the water shipping cost, or give money to locals to buy water and tanks to contain water.

According to Nguyen Huu Hoai Phuong, director of Kien Giang provincial Water Supply and Drainage Company, two water reservoirs of the company can provide 550,000 cubic meters of water a day. 

However, the company cannot get fresh water for the last week because of the saltwater intrusion.

“The salinity intrusion came too soon this year, two to three months earlier than predicted,” Phuong explained.

The official said the company plans to drill 16 new water wells, which is estimated to cost VND6.4 billion. 

When the works are completed, the wells would be able to provide 16,000-20,000 cubic meters a day more, which is enough for 20-25 days.

Saving every drop of water

The lack of water in recent days has caused suffering for locals in three coastal districts of Ben Tre – Binh Dai, Ba Tri and Thanh Phu.

“It’s difficult to buy water, though the price is very expensive, VND60,000-80,000 per cubic meter,” said Tran Van Tram in Thanh Hai commune. 

There are 17 water supply plants in the three districts which have the capacity of 5-330 cubic meters an hour. However, the water is just enough for 40 percent of the local population.

Nearly 1,000 households in Binh Dong and Binh Xuan communes in Go Cong Town of Tien Giang province are in the same situation.

Meanwhile, in the central region and Central Highlands, 40,000 hectares of rice now lack water, and 122,000 hectares of crops suffer from drought and hundreds of thousands of people lack water for daily life.


NLD