Hanoi (VNA) – 𓄧Severe drought will linger in the Central Highlands and southern regions until May or June, and in the central coastal region until August, said Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Chu Pham Ngoc Hien in his interview to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA).
According to Hien, with the theme of “Hotter, Drier, Wetter: Face the Future”, the World Meteorology Day 2016 is spreading the message that heat waves and droughts are appearing more frequently in the world, and that Greenhouse gas emissions are still increasing.
In Vietnam, from the beginning of this year, heat waves have incessantly hit the Central Highlands and southern regions.
People in the southwestern region are facing historic saltwater intrusion and a lack of fresh water. Most recently, Tra Vinh became the eighth province in the region to announce a saline intrusion emergency, the official stated.
According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorology Forecasting, natural disasters will become more severe and more unpredictable in the future. In late 2016, it is anticipated that there may be more storms compared to normal.
Average temperatures in the Mekong Delta region in the remaining months of this year’s dry season will be 0.5-1.5 degrees Celsius higher than previous years, with temperatures typically between 33-37 Celcius. The rainy season is expected to arrive late, with average rainfall predicted to be 30-50 percent lower than average.
In the Central Highlands, the water flow in major rivers has reduced by 20-70 percent compared to normal years. The current water volume in many reservoirs has dropped to 30-60 percent of design capacity.
Initial statistics show more than 7,000 ha of rice in the region had to be abandoned due to a shortage of water, while 5,400 other hectares have been damaged by drought. More than 35,000 ha of industrial crops are being threatened by water shortage.
If rain does not come by the end of March, the drought-hit area will expand to 135,000ha.-VNA
Severe drought and saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta has badly affected agriculture and aquaculture, threatening a scarcity of raw materials for seafood exports.
An historic flood, similar to that battered the central region with 2,000mm of rain in 1999, is predicted to hit Vietnam in the second half of this year after the most severe drought in 100 years.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has provided maps of underground fresh water distribution for all thirteen Mekong Delta localities, aiming to facilitate their search for fresh water
Despite a larger scale of plantation, winter-spring rice crops grown in the south are estimated to yield just over 11.36 million tonnes of rice, a decrease of 190,000 tonnes compared with last year.
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Saigon Hi-Tech Park’s ambitious 50% renewable energy goal far exceeds the city’s 15% target, positioning the park as a trailblazing “living lab” for sustainable energy solutions.
Vietnam's economic losses from natural disasters are estimated to account for 1 to 1.5% of GDP annually - a steep price that will continue to rise unless the country takes strong action.
Wutip, the first storm in the East Sea so far this year, has wreaked havoc across central Vietnam, claiming lives, displacing residents, and causing widespread damage to houses, crops, and infrastructure, the Department of Dyke Management and Disaster Prevention and Control reported as of 6:30 pm on June 13.
The tremor occurred at 7:39:46 am (Hanoi time), with the epicentre located at latitude 14.924°N and longitude 108.236°E, at a depth of approximately 8.1 kilometres. The natural disaster risk level was classified as 0 – the lowest on the scale.
Addressing a session on “Accelerating Financing for Resilience: Tailored Solutions for Disaster Risk Reduction,” Deputy Minister Hiep emphasised Vietnam's proposal in building sustainable financing in response to natural disasters, which aligns with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction's goals.
Vietnam has demonstrated its strong commitments by participating in global sustainable development forums, signing multiple free trade agreements, and attracting support from international partners for the implementation of the SDGs.
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Lang Son Global Geopark, with its outstanding geological values, cultural heritage, and unique natural landscapes, represents a valuable addition to UNESCO’s global geoparks system.
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According to Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment Le Huu Toan, a fire prevention and control plan has been in place since the dry season began, including round-the-clock patrols and rapid-response teams to snuff out fires before they could spread.
Renowned artists including Ha Anh Tuan, Den Vau, and Phan Manh Quynh, along with many directors and attendees, took part in planting hundreds of rare tree species such as mun (Diospyros mun) and cho chi (Parashorea chinensis) in the Thung Bong area of the Cuc Phuong National Park, contributing to forest ecosystem restoration.
The dispatch noted that since the beginning of 2025, natural disasters have claimed 29 lives and left several others missing. A total of 67 houses have collapsed, and 2,342 homes have been unroofed or damaged.
Its Forest Protection Sub-department has applied various specialised software and information technologies in forest management and protection and fire prevention.
In 2005, Nghe An had 570 captive bears, the largest number in Vietnam. Thanks to efforts by local authorities, forest rangers, and rescue forces, the number has fallen to just 15.
Illustrative image (Source: VNA)
