The water levels in the upper Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam are expected to rise rapidly over the next five days, surpassing last year's levels by 0.4 - 0.5 meters, the steering committee for climate change response, and natural disaster prevention and control in Dong Thap Province said on Friday.

By October 1, water levels at Tan Chau Station on the Tien River could reach 3.38 meters, which is 0.48 meters higher than the same period last year. 

In the Thap Muoi region, the water levels measured at Truong Xuan Station are forecast to reach 1.91 meters, marking a year-on-year increase of 0.3 meters.

Meanwhile, water levels at upstream stations along the Mekong River may gradually decrease, with the water level at Vientiane Station in Laos possibly falling to 8.55 meters and that at Kratia Station in Cambodia dipping to 19.85 meters.

Local farmers use an excavator to reinforce dikes of a rice field in Tam Nong District, Dong Thap Province, southern Vietnam. Photo: Dang Tuyet / Tuoi Tre

In response to upcoming higher floods in the region, the People’s Committee of Dong Thap has urged intensified efforts to ensure that anti-flooding measures and plans are in place to protect rice production during the fall-winter crop season.

So far, farmers in Dong Thap have planted 107,000 hectares of rice and harvested more than 1,480 hectares.

Nguyen Phuoc Thien, vice-chairman of the Dong Thap administration, ordered that local authorities form task forces to regularly patrol, protect, and reinforce weak sections of dikes to safeguard agricultural production.

He asked relevant agencies to stay ready for flood prevention plans so as to protect farming areas, monitor unscheduled production, and brief farmers on appropriate measures to address any emergencies.

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