The Mekong Delta region is currently experiencing the peak of the dry season and saltwater intrusion, with around 30,000 households facing a shortage of drinking water. In recent days, the Southwest provinces have endured prolonged heatwaves, and some areas in the Mekong Delta have been affected by drought and saltwater intrusion, directly impacting both production and people’s daily lives. Many households are facing difficulties accessing clean water. Additionally, thousands of households in coastal provinces are also suffering from a lack of fresh water.
The shortage of fresh water is particularly severe in certain areas:
- In Tien Giang and Long An provinces, people are queuing for hours to buy water at high prices. In some places, while charitable water donations are made, they are insufficient. Over the past 10 days, some households in Can Giuoc District, Long An, have had to use water from ponds and lakes for daily needs.
- In Ca Mau, the severe drought has left more than 3,000 households without clean water for daily use, with many regions facing an acute shortage.
- Due to the impact of drought and saltwater intrusion, Soc Trang is seeing approximately 21,318 rural households across 36 communes facing the risk of water shortages.
Saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta provinces not only affects agricultural production and aquaculture but also severely impacts the freshwater supply for thousands of households.
It can be said that despite prior awareness of the saltwater intrusion issue, several coastal localities in the Southwest region are still struggling to respond, provide, and ensure a clean water supply for their residents, especially in years when saltwater intrusion is as complicated as it is now.
