Salinisation and drought worsen in Mekong Delta

Salt water intrusion has expanded from 50-90 km in different provinces in the Mekong Delta. This is the highest level recorded over the past 100 years. About 104 thousand hectares of winter-spring rice crop in the area were damaged.

"More than 50% of the total area of 1.5 million hectares was affected by drought and salinity. And it will get worse because the dry season is coming, starting from the end of March til May. The rainy season is predicted to arrive late this year, so the Mekong Delta region will face a tough year for rice cultivation", Mai Thanh Phung, Chief of the National Agriculture Extension Center, said.

Many lakes have run out of water. Local residents are facing water shortages. More than 100,000 households in Ben Tre province have to buy water.

The risks of salinisation and drought in the Mekong Delta have been raised since 2004. Support measures are needed to help local residents overcome the challenges caused by climate change.