Drought - Saltwater Intrusion 2015 - 2016: Still Have Chance For Mekong Delta

Sea level rise and saltwater intrusion can be a chance to exploit the advantages for residents in coastal areas.

Although there is no official statistics from specialized authorities, 2015 - 2016 winter - spring crop is forecasted to drop sharply with this severe drought and intrusion.

View from data

Compared to the data series over the past 90 years (1926 - 2015), the highest water level in flood season in 2015 is 2.42m at upstream Tan Chau (An Giang Province), which is just equivalent to 57% of average flood water level of many years. Another signal of drought is that rainy season began 3-5 weeks later than many-year average but ended 2-4 weeks earlier.

Little rain, low flood and early ending make dry season begin sooner than usual. In December 2015, drought signs, heat and saltwater intrusion has appeared. In the first 6 weeks of 2016, the water level in Cuu Long River is low, lower than the historical drought in 2015, which makes coastal areas face a serious lack of fresh water. Saltwater quickly penetrate to rivers in nine coastal provinces, even the inland province like Hau Giang. Water with high salinity level penetrates 10-20 km more than 2015’s. Not only rice farming region but also vegetables region is in short of water, even the fresh water for drinking becomes salty.

2016 drought now can be seen as agricultural drought, which reduces crop productivity and output. In terms of society, the drought-related loss reduces the social budget, cause changes in social communities, alarming lack of fresh water and other consequences.

Turn challenges into chances

Dealing with saltwater intrusion and drought is much more difficult and costly than living with flood. However, this challenge is still a chance to bring benefits to residents in coastal areas. Actually, there are solutions to exploit saltwater and brackish water sources in terms of resource-based economy.

Firstly, the expansion of salinity at different levels will be a good chance to diversify aquaculture to a more professional direction. Mekong Delta has rich biological diversity with salt-brackish-fresh water ecosystem. Particularly, MeKong Delta coastal region has 260 species of fish and other seafood with high economic value.

Secondly, coastal ecosystem somehow will possibly face negative impact due to climate change. However, if expanding the saline areas with clever management of forest restoration, more than 98 species of mangrove plants, 36 animal species, 182 types of bird, 34 reptiles species and 6 amphibian species in surrounding areas and under mangrove canopy still have sustainable development. If residents of coastal areas could maintain the coastal mangrove forest, it will be better in dealing with disaster. Moreover, coastal ecosystem could generate higher revenue for locals.

Thirdly, middle areas and coastal areas in Mekong Delta have some alkaline lands, so the presence of salinity will improve the alkalization in farming areas.

Next, there are many concerns about the reduction in rice cultivation areas in Mekong Delta. This could happens but agricultural scientists at Can Tho University and O Mon Rice Research Institute have created new rice variety which has ability to adapt to saltwater. Also, many rice variety that are resistant to high salinity is tested in many different saline lands. Southern Fruit Research Institute also study some other varieties that can live with saltwater intrusion.

Furthermore, increasing saltwater intrusion is a chance to raise public awareness about disaster and climate change. Fresh water shortage in coastal areas will stimulate research, new ideas and solutions development to protect the environment and save water in daily life and production.

Finally, saltwater intrusion would encourage sea economy development and motivate sustainable growth in Mekong Delta.

Dung Nguyen

Source: thesaigontimes.vn