On 21 January, 2019, to update information on saltwater intrusion and drought situation and unify information sharing mechanism, as well as coping support methods; the Central Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control Office, in collaboration with the UN and other international organizations, held a meeting on sharing evaluations and plans for coping with drought and saltwater intrusion in the Mekong River Delta of Vietnam.

In Ca Mau and Ben Tre, the meteorological and hydrological conditions are extremely complicated, the total duration of rainfall has fallen sharply compared to every year average, the flow from the upstream stands at a very low level, thus salinity has intruded and continues to intrude further inland. Surface water in the canals is evaporating by days. Interviewed residents said that groundwater level is depleting. The vegetation has shown signs of withering due to lack of water. In Ben Tre, saltwater intrusion emergency has been announced. People are bewildered and worried, fearing a severe drought and saltwater intrusion dry season like 2016 will happen.

In Tra Vinh and Kien Giang, the situation of drought saltwater intrusion occurred similar to that of 2016, the sluices were closed. Preparations and mitigation measures are being carried out urgently, and new sluices are being constructed in many locations.

Mr. Tran Quang Hoai on behalf of the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control thanked the members of DRRP and other international organizations for accompanying the Government of Vietnam. Mr. Hoai also expects the partners' specific activities in 2020 to join hands with the government and localities to cope with drought and saltwater intrusion, as well as improve the lives and production of people in the Mekong River Delta.