Saline intrusion deep in the dry season of 2013

According to the Southern Institute of Water Resources Research, the dry season in 2013, the flow on the Mekong River is 30-45% less than the average of many years.

At present, the water level of the Mekong River is lower than the average of many years from 0.6 to 0.7m. Therefore, saline intrusion will appear early and penetrate deep into the mainland from 40-50km, there are deeper places and higher salinity in the same period in 2012 as well as the average for many years.

In the river Cua Tieu, March and April are the two deepest saline intrusion months, saline water has a salinity of 10 ‰, penetrates 25 km. Saltwater has a salinity of 4 nhập that penetrates deeper than 40km. Saline water has a salinity of 1 nhập that penetrates 50km. It is forecasted that in 2013, saline intrusion is higher than in 2012 and salinity is higher than the average of many years.

In Cua Dai River, March and April, saline intrusion is the deepest. Saltwater with salinity above 10 ‰ penetrates more than 35km and reaches the highest value of 14.1 ‰ in April. Saltwater has a salinity of 4 nhập that penetrates deeper than 40km. Saltwater with salinity 1 1 penetrates deeper than 50km. Saline intrusion on Cua Dai river in dry season 2013 is higher than in 2012.

Luong Chong saline dam, Tieu Can district, Tra
Vinh ensures saline prevention on Hau river route.

Ham Luong River, March to April saltwater has salinity greater than 10 ‰ penetrating deeper than 30km. Saline water has a salinity of 4 ‰ to penetrate 40 km deep. Saltwater with salinity 1 ‰ penetrates deeper than 50km. Forecast of salinity above Ham Luong River in dry season in 2013 is higher than in 2012.

On Co Chien River, saltwater with salinity greater than 10 hiện appears in all months and penetrates more than 25km. In April, saltwater has a salinity of 4 ‰ to penetrate 40 km deep. Saline water has a salinity of 1 nhập that penetrates 50km. April salinity reaches the highest value and penetrates deeper than other months. Forecast of saline water with salinity 4 ‰ on Co Chien river in dry season 2013 penetrates deeper about 5km.

On Cung Hau River, saltwater with salinity above 10 ‰ penetrates deeper than 25km; salinity 4 ‰ penetrates deeper than 35km; salinity 1 ‰ 45km deep penetration. Salinity increases the most in March and April. Salinity forecast on Cung Hau River in 2013 is higher than the same period in 2012 and higher than the average for many years.

On Dinh An river, saltwater has salinity above 10 ‰ penetrating deeper than 25km. In March and April, saltwater has a salinity of 4 ‰ that penetrates 45km. Saline water has a salinity of 1 nhập that penetrates 50km. Forecast of salinity on Dinh An river during higher dry season in the same period in 2012. April is the deepest saline intrusion month and the highest value.

On Tran De river, saltwater has salinity above 10 ‰ penetrating over 30km. Saltwater has a salinity of 4 nhập that penetrates deeper than 40km. In March and April, saltwater has a salinity of 1 ‰ that penetrates 50km. April salinity highest increase. Forecast of salinity on Tran De River in dry season 2013 is higher than in the same period in 2012 and higher than the average for many years.

On Cai Lon river, saltwater has a salinity of 10 ‰ which penetrates 15 km. Saline water has 4 mặn salinity intrusion 25km. Saline water has a salinity of 1 40, which is 40 km deep. April salinity increases the highest in the year.

Ong Doc River runs along the West Sea and is influenced by the West Sea tide. Some of the gateways go to the West Sea but so far there is no work to prevent saline intrusion, the whole river of Ong Doc is still salty.

Because saline water intrusion is deep and salinity has increased over the years, the Southern Institute of Water Resources Research recommends that the Mekong Delta provinces actively respond to and arrange suitable crop seasons to limit the arrival the lowest level of damage caused by saline intrusion.