Ben Tre Urgently Responds to Saltwater Intrusion

According to the provincial Hydrometeorological Station, strong easterly winds and high tides have pushed saltwater intrusion deep into Ben Tre's rivers. Salinity levels of 4‰ have reached far inland, impacting areas over 40km from river mouths. The hydrometeorological agency has warned of a disaster risk level approaching level 2. In response, local authorities and residents are implementing preventative measures. These include monitoring salinity levels, closing sluice gates to prevent further intrusion, storing freshwater, and actively communicating updates to affected communities. Long-term solutions, like the construction of dykes and sluice gates, have provided some relief in areas like Tam Hiep commune. Residents are proactively storing water and adapting irrigation techniques to cope with lower salinity levels. However, challenges remain in areas with complex river systems and a lack of comprehensive saltwater prevention infrastructure. In these regions, saltwater intrusion threatens crops like coconuts, pomelos, and tangerines, impacting agricultural productivity.