Tien Giang Province Declares State of Emergency Amid Drought Crisis

The situation in Vietnam’s Tien Giang province is dire, as thousands of people are grappling with a severe scarcity of fresh water due to drought and salinization. The province, located about 60 kilometers south of Ho Chi Minh City, is facing the brunt of a weeks-long heatwave that has exacerbated these issues.

Particularly affected is the Tan Phu Dong area, which spans 12 kilometers along the South China Sea coastline and is intersected by waterways. Salinization, the infiltration of saltwater from the sea, has wreaked havoc on crops and the livelihoods of thousands of households among the 43,000 residents in the area.

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In response to the crisis, authorities have declared a state of emergency in the Tan Phu Dong district, focusing on the acute shortage of water for domestic use. Measures are being implemented to transport fresh water to ponds and reservoirs in the district to sustain the water supply for the affected populace.

The dry season has intensified the situation, with prolonged drought and deeper saline intrusion in the upper Tien River exacerbating the hardships faced by communities, leaving them surrounded by salty water. It’s a critical situation that necessitates immediate and concerted efforts to mitigate the suffering of the populace and address the underlying causes of the water crisis.

Source: Punch.Ng