This problem has required immediate preventive measures from the local authorities in this area.
Taking advantages of the low tide, the local authorities in Điện Bàn District,Quang Nam Province have mobilised all necessary forces to complete the dam across Vĩnh Điện River to prevent salt water contaminating upstream fresh water. The 100-metre long, 7 metres deep, 3 metres wide, and is able to withstand off-season floods. It can store millions of cubic metres of fresh water for the upcoming Winter-Spring crop in Điện Bàn District.
"The salt water contaminated land pretty early on. The salinity of the water sometimes reached 3.3 thousandth. Therefore, we need to complete this dam in time for the Winter-Spring crop." - Nguyen Duc Choi, Head, Agriculture & Rural Development Office, Dien Ban District, Quang Nam Province.
In the previous years, intruding salt water seriously affected local rice production. This year, however, the authorities in Quang Nam Province have promptly instructed local agencies to implement preventive measures, especially since the area is forecasted to suffer droughts. Building a dam is one such measure, as it not only stops salt water from infiltrating but also retains fresh water for the crops.
"This dam has done a pretty good job! The salinity has dropped to 0 and 1.6 thousandth upstream and downstream river respectively. Were it not for the dam, we’d not have enough water for the Winter-Spring crop for this year." - Nguyen Van Duc, Director, Quang Nam Irrigation Ltd., Dien Ban Branch.
After the dam is completed, Quang Nam Province will continue many similar projects in the eastern districts of the province in order to save the Winter-Spring crop. On the other hand, the local authorities have also made plans to counter the severe drought to come in the summer.
