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 water shortage just like the disaster in 2016. Among them, approximately 400,000 – 500,000ha are in critical state, asking for an urgent measure to maintain sufficient freshwater supply.
Resolution No.120/NQ-CP by the Government on Sustainable Development in the Mekong Delta Region to Adapt to Climate Change stressed that the water resource is the core and foundation for any strategic development of local planning or policies. It is necessary to have comprehensive management across the whole basin, along with effective and economical use of water as well as other natural resources in the region.
Translated by Thanh Tam
