Overview of the Conference
Only in the last 5 years, two historic droughts and saltwater intrusion periods have been observed in the Mekong River Delta, i.e. 2015-2016 and 2019-2020. These 2 natural disasters have seriously affecting agricultural production and domestic lives of local people. In preparation for the dry season 2020-2021, a Conference was held in Mỹ Tho city, Tiền Giang province on 23 September 2020 by MARD to discuss “The implementation of activities to cope with drought, water shortage and saltwater intrusion to protect agriculture productions and domestic activities during dry season 2020 – 2021 in the Mekong delta” so that proactive and successful responses to drought and saltwater intrusion will be effectively launched for the next dry season. The Conference was chaired by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong.
Attending the Conference are leaders of the Government Office, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and Provincial People's Committees of Mekong Delta provinces.
Minister of The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong reported on the impact of saltwater intrusion on production and people's lives in the Mekong Delta and response solutions.
At the Conference, representatives of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment presented their observations relating to the forecast of drought and saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta in the dry season 2020-2021, including following information: after the severe saltwater intrusion in 2020, even right in the mid-flood season, constantly reduced rainfall is still monitored in the Mekong delta. Due to less rain, the flood level in mainstream of Mekong River is also sharply reduced in comparison with the yearly average. As of mid-September 2020, low water levels in many upstream reservoirs are still reported. As a forecasted water inflow deficit of 20-35% from upstream Mekong river to Mekong delta during dry season 2020-2021 will be experienced (compared to the inflow in 2019), water shortage and water intrusion are predicted to start early than usual and will be more extreme.
Minister of The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha reported the situation of water resources in the Mekong River basin and assessed the situation of
saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta in the dry season 2020-2021
Foreseeing that next drought and saltwater intrusion will seriously effect agricultural production and domestic activities, based on successful responses during dry season of 2019-2020. Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has made recommendations on possible impacts of drought and saltwater intrusion so that local governments and people can take proactive actions.
Concluding the Conference, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc instructed the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to closely coordinate with local governments, international and domestic agencies and organizations and local people in the implementation of proactive natural disaster response and continue to implement effective measures to cope with drought and saltwater intrusion developments in the dry season 2019-2020.
