Water shortages are getting more extreme, especially in coastal areas. In Bến Tre Province, hundreds of thousands of households are coping with this situation, which is predicted to worsen in the coming months
In coastal districts of Bến Tre Province, people have long been used to water shortages, but this year’s drought is the most severe in many years. Some households have built large tanks to store rain water, but this is not enough. People are spending large sums of money on water for daily use.
"I may run out of water in a month. Then I will have to buy it for 10,000 VND per bucket." - Resident, An Hiep Commune, Ba Tri District, Ben Tre Province
"We do not have much money, but we still have buy water in/from other places. Water here is too salty."- Resident, An Hiep Commune, Ba Tri District, Ben Tre Province
If drought and saltwater intrusion continue, people will not even be able to buy water. Surveys indicate that saltwater has penetrated up to 70 km inland from estuaries in Bến Tre Province. Pump stations in the province have also been salinized.
"This year, about 15000 households lack fresh water. Currently, people must pay 50000 to 70000 VND per cubic meter." - Ho Van Thuong, Vice Head, Agriculture & Rural Development Office, Ba Tri District, Ben Tre Province
One cubic meter of water is more costly than ten coconuts. This is the paradox in Bến Tre Province at present. In the coming months, water shortages are predicted to worsen.
