Most serious saltwater intrusion in Mekong River estuary forecast for February, March
Saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta in the 2020-2021 dry season will be less severe than in the 2019-2020 dry season, with the highest level expected to be in February and March in Mekong River estuary and in March and April in Vam Co and Cai Lon rivers.
Durian trees dying due to widespread saltwater intrusion (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta in the2020-2021 dry season will be less severe than in the 2019-2020 dry season, withthe highest level expected to be in February and March in Mekong River estuaryand in March and April in Vam Co and Cai Lon rivers.
However, salt intrusion will be still more severe than theaverage of many years, said Phung Tien Dung, head of the HydrologicalForecasting Department for the Central, Central Highlands and Southern regionsunder the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.
The situation will depend much on the water flows from upstreamon the Mekong River and tides, with changes expected in the coming times, Dungstated.
He advised localities in the region to keep updated onhydro-meteorology forecasts and actively carry out measures to prevent andcontrol saltwater intrusion.
The localities were also recommended to stock up on freshwaterduring low tides to serve agricultural production and daily activities oflocals.
The water levels measured upstream Mekong River arecurrently 0.1-1.2 m lower than the many-year average, but downstream the levelsare 0.1-0.2 m higher than average./.
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Durian trees dying due to widespread saltwater intrusion (Photo: VNA) 
