Prime Minister Directs Response to Peak Saltwater Intrusion in Mekong Delta

Official Dispatch No. 15/CD-TTg, issued February 17, 2025, directs a proactive response to peak saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City. According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, recent spring tides have pushed salinity levels higher than in 2024, though lower than the severe intrusion of 2016 and 2020. The Prime Minister urges the Ministers of Agriculture and Rural Development, Natural Resources and Environment, and Construction, along with provincial leaders, to implement preventative measures outlined in previous directives. Focus is placed on ensuring adequate freshwater resources for residents and mitigating the impact on agricultural production in affected areas. The dispatch emphasizes close monitoring of the situation, timely information dissemination, and proactive implementation of region-specific solutions to combat the intrusion.