Commenting on the situation of saline intrusion in the Mekong Delta (MD), Mr. Hoang Van Dai, Deputy Director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, said that from the beginning of 2024 until now, saline intrusion in the MD is higher than the average of many years (TBNN) and 2023. In February-March 2024 alone, in the MD, there were 3 periods of increased saline intrusion, affecting people's lives and agricultural production.
Monitoring the level of salinity intrusion shows that this year is higher than the average. The deepest salinity intrusion occurred from March 8-13 with salinity levels of 4‰ and 1‰ penetrating 40-66 km deep, and in some places deeper, such as Tien Giang and Ben Tre provinces, penetrating 70-76 km deep. In particular, in Ben Tre and Co Chien River, salinity intrusion was deeper than in 2016.
"Saline intrusion in 2024 occurred early, appearing in mid-November, penetrating deep into the fields. The salinity period from March 8 to 13 was 4 g/l salinity, reaching 40-50 km deep, and in some places deeper. Up to now, this is the period with the highest salinity concentration in 2024; the 1 g/l salinity boundary in Tien Giang penetrated up to 70 km deep in some places," Mr. Dai said.
Severe drought and salinity, Tien Giang province residents pump water to save crops. Photo: Ap Bac Newspaper.
For example, in Ben Tre province, on the Co Chien River, the salinity of 1 g/l is 7.5 km deeper than in 2016, 25.8 km deeper than the average. The salinity of 4 g/l penetrates to Phu My hamlet, Nhuan Phu Tan commune (Mo Cay Bac district), 57.2 km from the river mouth. The salinity of 1 g/l penetrates to Hoa Thuan hamlet, Vinh Binh commune (Cho Lach district), 75.8 km from the river mouth.
On Cua Dai River, equivalent to 2016, the 1 part per thousand boundary is 21km deeper than the average: Salinity of 4 g/l penetrates to An My hamlet, An Khanh commune (Chau Thanh district), 53km from the river mouth. Salinity of 1 g/l penetrates to Con Doi hamlet, Phu Duc commune (Chau Thanh district), 71.3km from the river mouth.
On Ham Luong River, salinity of 1 g/liter is about 5km deeper than in 2016, 6km deeper than in 2023, and 11km deeper than the average.
Saltwater intrusion in 2024 in Tien Giang province came earlier and deeper than the average of many years. The salinity increased and penetrated deeper into the fields in late February and early March, coinciding with the high tide in early February of the lunar calendar, so the salinity on the Tien River increased and penetrated deeper than the same period in 2016.
The highest salinity at stations such as: Vam Kenh (5km): 26.3g/l, 0.7g/l higher than 2016; Hoa Binh (18km) 15.7g/l, 2.0g/l higher than 2016; An Dinh (43km) 6.4g/l, 3.0g/l higher than 2016; My Tho (48km) salinity 4.2g/l, 0.4g/l higher than 2016...
In Soc Trang, the stations on the Hau River in 2024 with salinity intrusion of 1g/l have the largest area of influence in the year of 63km, on the My Thanh River it is 73km. On the Hau River in 2024 with salinity intrusion of 4g/l, the largest area of influence in the year is 50-55km, on the My Thanh River it is 52-57km).
According to the Deputy Director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the cause of drought and saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta is primarily due to the impact of the El Nino phenomenon. Since the beginning of 2024, the Mekong Delta has had almost no rain (60-95% below standard), and prolonged sunny days have caused a large amount of surface water stored in fields, canals, rivers, and lakes to evaporate.
At the same time, water resources from the upper Mekong River to the Mekong Delta are lower than the average level, combined with the high tide period, pushing salinity deep into the fields.
Mr. Dai warned that saline intrusion in the Mekong Delta continues to be higher than the average, higher than in 2023. From now until the end of the drought season in 2024, there is a possibility of 3 saline intrusions in the Mekong Delta, with the high saline intrusions concentrated in the periods from April 8-13, from April 22-28 and from May 7-11.
The depth of 4‰ saline intrusion on the Vam Co Dong and Vam Co Tay rivers is from 70-95km; on the Cua Tieu and Cua Dai rivers is from 50-62km; on the Ham Luong river is from 60-68km; on the Co Chien river is from 45-55km; on the Hau river is from 40-55km; and on the Cai Lon river is from 45-55km.
"The saline intrusion situation in the Mekong Delta depends on water sources from the upper Mekong River, high tides and will fluctuate in the coming time. Localities in the Mekong Delta need to promptly update hydrometeorological forecast information and take proactive measures to prevent saline intrusion," said Mr. Dai.
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