Shrimp and crab farmers in An Minh and An Bien districts (Kien Giang) are now proactively preventing saltwater intrusion by reinforcing embankments and regularly measuring salinity in canals and inland rivers before pumping water into the fields.
Kien Giang has recently proactively dredged intra-field canals to ensure water circulation and prevent drought and salinity - Photo: CHI CONG
On the afternoon of February 3, speaking with Tuoi Tre Online , Mr. Ton Van Tuong - a shrimp farmer in Thuan Hoa commune (An Minh district) - said that his family currently raises 2 shrimp and crab farms with an area of about 10 hectares. The family's shrimp are growing well.
However, over the past two days, he measured the salinity in the canal and it fluctuated between 28-30‰. This salinity concentration has decreased compared to Tet but is still high.
"The Xeo Nhau sluice is not yet closed, so saltwater still penetrates deep into the canals. To prevent saltwater intrusion, I have proactively reinforced the embankment. The water level in my shrimp farming field is currently about 40cm; the ditch is about 1m deep.
"My experience shows that when the monsoon winds blow, the salinity increases. Therefore, in February 2025, there will be no monsoon winds blowing, so I am not worried about the salinity impact," Mr. Tuong added.
According to the hydrometeorological station of Kien Giang province, the saltwater intrusion forecast in Kien Giang (February 1-10) is about 15‰ at Xeo Ro station (Cai Lon river), a decrease of 3.9‰ compared to last week; Go Quao station (Cai Lon river) has a saltwater concentration of about 5‰, a decrease of 0.3‰ compared to last week; An Ninh station (Cai Be river) has a saltwater concentration of about 10‰, a decrease of 5.3‰ compared to last week.
Kien Giang people measure salinity before releasing shrimp into rice fields - Photo: CHI CONG
Cai Lon River with salinity of 4‰ penetrates about 13km deep to the end of Binh An commune (Chau Thanh district); Cai Be River with salinity of 4‰ penetrates about 35-38km deep to Go Quao town area.
The salinity then tends to increase with two high tides on February 8-10 and February 24-27. Warning of risks due to natural disasters of salinity intrusion at level I. At the same time, salinity concentration of 4‰ can affect crops, local people need to proactively measure salinity before using water for irrigation.
Previously, the People's Committee of Kien Giang province had a plan to prevent drought, water shortage, and saltwater intrusion, ensuring water sources for agricultural production and people's lives in the 2024-2025 dry season in the province.
The province requested the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of the province and relevant units to coordinate with the Southern Irrigation Exploitation Company Limited to flexibly operate the Cai Lon - Cai Be sluice system, the sluice system in Rach Gia city, and the Vam Ba Lich boat lock sluice (Chau Thanh district) to control salinity.
In addition, the People's Committees of districts and cities have deployed dredging of canals and rivers and built earth dams to limit saltwater intrusion, ensuring agricultural production for people.
People raising giant freshwater prawns in rice fields are very afraid of sudden saltwater intrusion, affecting production - Photo: CHI CONG
Operation of Cai Lon - Cai Be sluice to cope with high tidesSource: https://tuoitre.vn/dan-nuoi-tom-tren-ruong-lua-kien-giang-lam-nhieu-cach-de-phong-tranh-xam-nhap-man-20250203164814501.htm
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