Saltwater Intrusion Hitting Mekong Delta, VN's Biggest Rice Area; Orchards, Fish Farms Wiped Out [View all]

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The Mekong Delta, Vietnam’s biggest granary, home to a widespread network of rivers and canals, has been threatened by the rising level of salt water flowing into rice fields and farms. There have been warnings about such a situation for years, but authorities in Vietnam have failed to work out measures to solve the issue.

Climate change has become more serious and its adverse impacts can be seen now in the region, not just in forecasts as before. Many areas have no fresh water, and saline water has increased amid the rainy season. Other areas have experienced land subsidence along the banks of rivers.

During this month, which is part of the rainy season, many areas in the Mekong Delta have been ravaged by an increase of salt water in rivers and canals. More importantly, the areas had not been through such a situation for decades. Hung Phu Commune in My Tu District of Soc Trang Province is one example.

Fruit trees have withered and aquaculture has been badly affected by the presence of saline water. “We have never seen this situation in the area before,” said Vo Van Dep, who has 25,000 fish on his farms. “Several days ago, aquatic plants floating along the river’s surface were faded. Now all my fish are suddenly dead,” he complained.

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http://tuoitrenews.vn/society/29503/salt-water-increasingly-attacks-vietnams-mekong-delta