The National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting reports that saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta is gradually decreasing.
Specifically, the meteorological agency forecasts that the Southwest region is experiencing fewer rains, although there will be occasional showers and thunderstorms, with some areas seeing moderate to heavy rainfall. The daytime temperatures will still be hot.
From May 15 onward, temperatures are expected to decrease, bringing a break from the heat. The trend of saltwater intrusion between May 11 and 20 is expected to decrease gradually. The highest salinity at monitoring stations will surpass the highest salinity recorded in May 2023. The highest salinity intrusion for this period will occur along rivers such as Vam Co Dong and Vam Co Tay, with saltwater penetrating 90-125 km upstream from the river mouths.
Meteorologists assess that the saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta during the 2023-2024 dry season is higher than the average of previous years, but not as severe as the dry seasons of 2015-2016 and 2019-2020. Saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta’s river mouths is expected to decrease gradually, with high saltwater levels persisting on the Vam Co, Cai Lon, and Cai Be rivers until mid-May, after which the levels will drop. It is forecast that saltwater intrusion will continue to decrease in the Mekong Delta until the end of May. However, experts warn that the situation will depend on water sources from the Mekong River’s upper reaches, tidal fluctuations, and may continue to vary in the coming period. Local authorities need to take advantage of low tides to store fresh water for agricultural and domestic use.
Tiền Giang and Long An are facing the most severe saltwater intrusion!
The Southern Meteorological and Hydrological Station reports that Tiền Giang and Long An provinces are the most affected by saltwater intrusion this year.
According to the Provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue in Tiền Giang, the saltwater intrusion in 2024 has arrived earlier and penetrated further inland. The salinity level in the Tiền River area is higher than in 2016, 2021, and 2023.
In Long An, the saltwater intrusion is more severe and deeper compared to the long-term average.
