Wednesday February 8, 2023
Vietnam Plus —
Saltwater intrusion has begun to increase in the Mekong Delta’s rivers, affecting irrigation of crops.
A salinity rate of four grammes per litre was seen 45-70km upstream in major rivers this week, according to the Department of Water Resources.
In the Vam Co Dong and Vam Co Tay rivers, saltwater has reached 65-70km deep, 5-7km more than at this time last year, it said.
Most plants can only tolerate a rate of 1 gramme per litre.
But water is adequate for the ongoing winter-spring rice crop, the department added.
The delta, the country’s largest rice, fruit and seafood producer, has 1.5 million hectares under the crop.