Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Monday issued a directive ordering stronger measures to deal with the ongoing challenges of heatwaves, droughts, water shortages, and saltwater intrusion affecting many provinces and cities across Vietnam.

According to the directive, the El Nino weather pattern has resulted in a low rainfall, high temperatures, prolonged heatwaves, drought, lack of water, and saltwater intrusion in many localities, especially the Mekong Delta, central, and Central Highlands regions.

Agencies under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment have forecast that the average temperature this year, especially in summer, may be higher than that in previous years.

The flood season is unlikely to come early in the northern region, with the inflow of rain into major reservoirs on the Da River expected to be 30-40 percent lower than the average levels of previous years.

The central and southern regions were predicted to continue experiencing heatwaves, droughts, water shortages, and saltwater intrusion.

PM Chinh thus urged localities, particularly those in the central and Mekong Delta regions, to closely monitor water resources within their jurisdictions.

He also instructed them to revise and update plans to respond effectively to heatwaves, droughts, water shortages, and saline intrusion, aiming to mitigate the impact of these phenomena on production, business activities, and the daily lives of local residents.

PM Chinh ordered localities to follow instructions from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to promptly and effectively employ solutions to these phenomena.

During periods of water scarcity, priority should be given to ensuring an adequate water supply for residents' daily needs and for cultivating high-value crops.

The prime minister demanded that proactive measures be taken in areas facing a high risk of water scarcity, urging them to take the initiative in securing an adequate water supply.

This may include mobilizing resources and vehicles to transport water from other regions if necessary.

He also told the minister of agriculture and rural development to speed up the progress of irrigation and water supply projects.

PM Chinh asked that the minister of industry and trade direct the Vietnam Electricity Group and owners of hydropower reservoirs to coordinate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and relevant localities to work out plans to properly operate the reservoirs to ensure water supply.

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