Disasters
Drought
Mekong Delta struggling to maintain freshwater
About 78,000ha of rice paddies and orchards in the Mekong Delta region are predicted to get severely affected by drought – salinity intrusion this March-April. The Mekong Delta has around 2 million hectares of rice fields and fruit trees. These farmlands are facing serious irrigation ...
Translated by Thanh Tam
Mekong Delta: Drought, saltwater intrusion cause subsidence, water shortage
This year’s dry season is expected to bring more severe drought and saltwater intrusion to the Mekong Delta compared to previous years, significantly impacting the lives and production of local residents.Furthermore, saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta depends on the water flow from the upper ...
Channel launched to forecast flood and drought risks in Mekong
Mekong River Commission (MRC) has launched a channel on Mekong flood and drought forecast, aimed at improving public awareness and understanding of Mekong River conditions.The Mekong Flood and Drought Forecast Channel provides regular updates on current water levels, flows, and forecasted flood and drought risks ...
Minh Nga
Drought in the wetland
The Mekong Delta region has previously endured two severe seasonal droughts caused by El Niño in 2015-2016 and 2019-2020. However, experts are now predicting the likelihood of a “super” El Niño occurring this year, which could lead to even more severe drought, saltwater intrusion, and ...
Northern region expected to have sufficient power supply
The Northern region is currently in the midst of the flood season, and the inflow of water into the hydropower reservoirs is forecasted to continue to rise. It will possibly ensure a steady electricity supply, with an estimated load of approximately 421 million kWh per ...
Thanh Nha (translator)
'Buying' Mekong water from China a farfetched scheme
Several researchers have reacted with skepticism and criticism to American experts’ suggestions of Mekong downstream countries paying China for water to avoid drought. Some said it was not just impractical but also something that would set a “bad precedent.”In recent years, MRC has repeatedly asked ...
Viet Anh
Buy water from China, American experts advise downstream Mekong countries
American experts are recommending that countries in the Lower Mekong reach an agreement to pay China for water releases during times of crisis.Brian Eyler, Southeast Asia Program Director and Mekong Dam Monitor Co-Lead, Stimson Center explained that downstream countries could use an insurance representative to ...
Viet Anh
Saline intrusion may occur earlier in Mekong Delta
The saline intrusion in the Mekong Delta region during this year’s dry season would occur earlier and be worse than previous years, warned the Department of Water Resources Management under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The level of saltwater intrusion may be approximately ...
Ready for the Dry Years: Building Resilience to Drought in Southeast Asia
New analysis of observed data and climate projections in the second edition of Ready for the Dry Years: Building Resilience to Drought in Southeast Asia, a joint report by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and Association of South-East Asian ...
Mekong Delta takes preventive measures against saline intrusion in next dry season
Local authorities in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta have begun taking measures to cope with the effects of saltwater intrusion and drought in the upcoming 2020-21 dry season.Local authorities in Can Tho City and the delta’s 12 provinces, have warned farmers to sow rice and other crops ...