Gov’t figures out measures to tackle saltwater intrusion, drought

March 15, 2016 | 09:52

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The Government has introduced measures to deal with severe drought in the South Central Coast and Central Highlands as well as salinity intrusion in the Mekong Delta, according to its latest resolution.

Illustration photo

First of all, the Government requested ministries, agencies and localities to be fully aware of the seriousness of the current drought and salinity intrusion, take timely solutions to stabilize people’s life, and avoid shortage of drinking water, hunger and disease outbreaks.

The Government urged local authorities to closely coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and relevant ministries to regularly inspect and assess water level of irrigation lakes and hydropower reservoirs to balance water for daily life and production, giving higher priority to drinking water and water for daily life of people and water for livestock.

Localities were tasked to promote transformation of crops, livestock, and agricultural practices to ensure water supply.

The Government asked the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to instruct localities to build temporary dams, zone areas for water retention; develop plant varieties and animal breeds adapted to drought and salinity intrusion conditions.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment was assigned to collaborate with ministries, agencies and localities to promote mobilization of resources, balance the State budget, ODA, Government bonds in 2016 - 2020 period to invest in the construction of urgent works serving the prevention and combat against drought, salinization and erosion of coastal areas.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment was asked to evaluate impacts of specific projects that changed the flow of upstream areas of the Mekong River, and putting forward appropriate response measures.

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