Saltwater has entered deep into most coastal provinces in the Mekong Delta, leading to a severe shortage of freshwater, the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting reports.

Mekong River Delta

In some areas, the saltwater has made its way 70 kilometers upstream, increasing the salt density to 15-30 parts in thousand, it said.

The incursion would continue, increasing the density further by April 10, it warned.

In Bac Lieu Province’s Hong Dan District, around 2,000 hectares of rice paddy face a double-whammy from the saltwater and an ongoing drought.

In Soc Trang Province, many communes in Long Phu, Cu Lao Dung and Ke Sach Districts are suffering, with more than 40,000 ha of rice affected.

The two provinces have built floodgates to keep out the saltwater, but this has caused problems for shrimp farmers in Bac Lieu Province’s Gia Rai and Dong Hai Districts.

Residents in many districts of Ca Mau, Kien Giang, and An Giang Provinces face a shortage of water for daily use, with Tri Ton and Tinh Bien in An Giang particularly badly affected.

The scarcity has pushed the price of freshwater up. A 30-liter can now sells for VND10,000 in An Giang while it is VND7,000 for a 20-liter can in Kien Giang, up VND1,000 on average.

VietNamNet/SGGP