Scenarios for high-level response to salinity and drought

As the Mekong Delta enters the dry season, salt invades the river mouth. Numerous municipalities are taking aggressive efforts to address the situation. In Vinh Long, the provincial government established strategies to avoid and battle drought and salt intrusion to protect agricultural productivity and public welfare during the dry season of 2021-2022.

Three possible responses

The province develops three scenarios and opts for the third in the case of a deep salinity intrusion and salinity levels above that of the previous season, to suggest structural and non-structural responses.

The salinity boundary in the Hau river is expected to be 4% in this scenario, encroaching on a depth of around 60 kilometers. On the Co Chien River, the salinity limit may reach 4%, affecting My Phuoc commune (Mang Thit), located 70 kilometers from the sea entrance. On the Tien river's west bank, the salinity barrier may exceed 4% in Binh Hoa commune (Long Ho), 90 kilometers from the sea mouth.  

The salinity intrusion, which will impact six regions and towns, is expected to last until May. Salinity affects 67,300 hectares of natural land, while drought and water scarcity affect roughly 95,000 hectares of cropland. Additionally, there are expected to be around 75,700 families without access to domestic water, 51 clean water supply stations, and 55 communes at risk of running out of water for daily usage.

According to the respondent plan, the province intends to carry out 26 works and projects linked to irrigation, clean water supply, and drought- and salinity-resistant agricultural production models. Additionally, with an investment of about VND 1,150 billion, it supports water for orchards; fuel; and methods of mobilizing freshwater supplies for manufacturing and daily life.

According to Mr. Van Huu Hue, Deputy Director of the Vinh Long Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, some large sluices serving tens of thousands of hectares and capable of storing a large amount of water have been built in the province in recent years, primarily in the Nam Mang Thit area. 

However, these massive sluices' water storage is likewise not closed. Because the south section of the Mang Thit river is still accessible, saltwater continues to invade the area.

Mr. Van Huu Hue requested that MARD promptly undertake Nam Mang Thit regional irrigation works in the provinces of Vinh Long and Tra Vinh). He also proposed that the upper level considers allocating USD 1.096 billion from the central capital budget to carry out five irrigation projects to create a source of irrigation water for drought and salinity prevention, four projects to upgrade and expand water supply stations, and the construction of two agricultural production models that are drought and salinity resistant in Vinh Long province's approved drought and salinity prevention and control plan.

To prepare for the 2022 salinity and drought season, the Vinh Long Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has instructed affiliate units to implement measures to prevent and combat drought, water scarcity, and saline intrusion in this year's dry crop.

Mr. Nguyen Vinh Phuc, head of Vinh Long's Crops Production and Plant Protection Sub-department, stated that the unit would arrange communication and training sessions for high-risk districts like Vung Liem, Tra On, and Mang Thit... on converting planting structures to adapt to drought and salt.

The Standing Office of the Provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention, Control, and Search and Rescue regularly notify leaders and managers of provincial departments, branches and districts, towns and cities on water level and salinity through SMS system to 204 numbers.

Additionally, district, town, and city People's Committees are projected to invest in 53 irrigation works totaling approximately 120,000m in length and costing more than VND 24 billion D, servicing 6,230 hectares of the crop area. Additionally, as necessary, the districts will mobilize existing pumps and irrigation pumping stations, including five electric irrigation pumping stations, 165 oil pumps, and over 24,000 pumps distributed across the population, to fight drought and water scarcity.

Mr. Nguyen Chi Quyet, the district's authority, stated that the district has published a plan to prevent and combat drought and saltwater intrusion in order to protect production and people's livelihoods during the area's dry season in 2021-2022. In 2022, the district intends to use the financing source for irrigation fee exemption and compensation to invest in eight irrigation works totaling more than 15,000m in length and costing almost VND 4 billion.

Plans to ensure sufficient water supply for everyday use

Mr. Nguyen Tan Phat, General Director of Vinh Long Water Supply Joint Stock Company, stated that the company has developed a plan to ensure adequate supply of domestic water demand during the dry season and to prevent saline intrusion for customers, particularly those in saline-affected districts such as Vung Liem, Tra On, and Tam Binh.

He clarified that in response to the salinity incursion, the corporation would ensure that adequate water is available for daily use, with a capacity of 1,000 m3 per day. It is anticipated to rent barges and tank trucks to bring fresh water to the water supply branches in Vung Liem, Tra On, Tan Binh, and Cai Ngang within 10-15 days.

Vinh Long's rural clean water supply unit, the Provincial Center for Rural Water Supply and Sanitation, is also focusing on operating 94 rural water supply stations, inter-stations, and water supply distribution across 27 hourly water supply stations to ensure water supply during times of drought and salinity.