HCMC – Seawater intrusion is worsening in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta as dry-season water flows remain low, the Vietnam Mekong River Commission (VMRC) said.

According to projections from the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting and the Mekong River Commission, April rainfall across the Mekong Basin is forecast to be near or above average, though water levels in major reservoirs remain below capacity. The Lancang River reservoirs in China are at 60% of usable capacity, while those downstream are at 40%, with ongoing hydropower discharge expected. Flow through Cambodia’s Kratie station is forecast at 9.2–11.3 billion cubic meters. Low water storage in Tonle Sap Lake is expected to limit inflow to the Mekong River. In Vietnam, Tan Chau station in the southern province of Tay Ninh is forecast to see daily flows of 3,000–5,000 cubic meters per second, up 5–8% from past averages. Chau Doc station is expected to reach 1.3–1.6 billion cubic meters of total flow, 23–53% higher than last year. Despite these gains, saltwater intrusion is projected to extend 45–54 km inland on the Hau River, 47–55 km on the Tien River, and 50–62 km on the Vam Co Tay River. Authorities have been urged to store freshwater and monitor salinity closely to protect agriculture and water supplies.