Drought forecast to be less severe in upcoming dry season
Drought and saltwater intrusion in Vietnam’s southern region will be less severe in the 2016-2017 dry season, said the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.
According to the centre, the flow of water in Mekong River will be 10%-20% lower than the average level in previous years, but still higher than the level in the 2015-2016 season, thereby reducing saline intrusion into the delta region.
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Rainfall in the region will decrease from December 2016 to February 2017, but it is expected to be 15% – 30% higher than the average in previous years due to out-of-season rains in January and February.
During the March-June period, rainfall in southern provinces will be dropping slightly as compared to the average level in the same period of previous years, with the highest reduction of 15% in Can Tho city and Soc Trang province.
Lower basins of regional rivers will face two waves of strong tides in mid-December 2016 and January 2017, while the salinity will reach its peak in February and March next year.
Therefore, the centre suggested southern localities activ ely prepare plans to prevent saline intrusion, drought and water shortage during the upcoming dry season.
