Ninh Thuan province prepares to combat drought and saltwater intrusion

Preparations for drought and saltwater intrusion

According to Mr. Dang Kim Cuong, Director of Ninh Thuan province's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the province currently has twenty-two water reservoirs with a total storage capacity of 290 out of 414 million cubic meters as of mid-July 2023. Most notably, the stored water in Don Duong hydropower reservoir in Lam Dong province, which is used to generate electricity through Da Nhim Hydropower Plant and supply irrigation water to Ninh Thuan province, has reached 82/165 million cubic meters.

Several small reservoirs in Ninh Thuan province such as Ta Ranh, Bau Zon, CK7, Suoi Lon, Bau Ngu, Ong Kinh, etc., are in danger of depletion. There is a risk of water shortage due to upstream small rivers and streams losing their flow strength, which will also have an impact on the development and production of local crops.

Due to the likelihood of a prolonged drought in the immediate future, multiple agricultural lands in Ninh Thuan province face the risk of suspending theirproduction.

Mr. Dang Kim Cuong assessed that without rain in August and September, approximately 2,100 households with nearly 8,500 residents in Bac Ai, Ninh Hai and Ninh Son districts will suffer from a shortage of drinking water.

Droughts directly affect several districts and communes in Ninh Thuan province, including Phuoc Huu, Phuoc Thai, Phuoc Vinh, Phuoc Hai and An Hai communes in Ninh Phuoc district; Thanh Hai, Nhon Hai, Vinh Hai, Tri Hai communes in the affected areas of Cay Ke, Ba Han in Ninh Hai district; Quang Son, Hoa Son, Nhon Son, Lam Son, My Son and Ma Noi communes in Ninh Son district; Phuoc Khang, Phuoc Chien and Bac Son communes in Thuan Bac district. Additionally, droughts are expected to affect the entirety of Bac Ai and Thuan Nam districts.

“Many areas within the districts of Thuan Nam, Ninh Phuoc, Ninh Hai, Thuan Bac, and Phan Rang - Thap Cham city will be affected by saltwater intrusion. The volume of water in various local reservoirs is rapidly depleting, resulting in a significant  risk of water shortage in the near future. Production of the 2023 summer-autumn crop mainly relies on the water of Don Duong lake discharged through Da Nhim Hydropower Plant and other water reservoirs in the area.

"In addition to the disrupted agricultural production, the prolonged drought will cause a shortage of electricity and fresh water to support other production, business and service activites such as tourism, industrial production and handicrafts," added Mr. Dang Kim Cuong.

Solutions to combat the drought

In response to the 2023 drought, Ninh Thuan province is determined to avoid water shortages, hunger and disease outbreaks; focus on converting crops to save water and protect livestock.

According to Mr. Dang Kim Cuong, the province gives priority to domestic water, water for livestock producton, and water for irrigation of perennial crops with high economic value. Additionally, the province warned its residents against cultivating rice in areas at risk of water shortage. Farmers are also recommended to convert to the production of suitable and water-saving crops. On the other hand, the allocation of funds for drought response must be conducted in a timely and efficient manner that complies with Vietnam's laws and regulations.

In accordance with the guidance of Ninh Thuan Provincial People's Committee, the province's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has directed the Provincial Center for Clean Water and Environmental Sanitation to evaluate and develop an investment plan. Accordingly, the plan will focus on repairing and upgrading the domestic water supply system; accelerating the construction of the water supply system with the deadline being the third quarter of 2023.

The provincial Center for Clean Water and Environmental Sanitation will strengthen the management, organization and operation of the concentrated rural domestic water supply systems as well as other related water supply infrastructure. Moreover, the Center will routinely inpsect the quality of water sources to ensure that the water meets the prescribed standards for daily consumption.

Construction items, equipment and machinery of water supply systems will be monitored closely. Upon discovery of incidents or damages, the subject must be promptly repaired to prevent water loss. Additionally, the Provincial Center for Clean Water and Environmental Sanitation must actively pump water to provide for daily activities.

In event of a prolonged drought, Ninh Thuan province will proactively deploy solutions to prevent and control diseases commonly found in humans, and reinforce food hygiene and safety. The quality of water sources for daily consumption will be closely monitored before, during and after the drought.