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 shortages of sand and alluvial sediments. These factors would have negative impacts on electricity generation in hydropower plants and crop production in the following year.