El Niño threatens Vietnam with drought and water shortages

A strong El Niño phenomenon is projected to impact Vietnam through late 2026 and early 2027, leading to warmer temperatures and significant water shortages. The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting predicts that temperatures across the country will remain 0.5 to 2 degrees Celsius higher than average, with severe heatwaves expected in several regions.

In the Mekong Delta, the high-risk scenario for El Niño could result in severe drought and saltwater intrusion. Approximately 107,000 households may face domestic water shortages. The agricultural sector is also at high risk, with potential impacts on hundreds of thousands of hectares of rice, crops, and fruit trees. Saltwater intrusion is expected to reach deep into river mouths, particularly affecting provinces such as Ca Mau, Can Tho, and Dong Thap.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has issued directives to provincial authorities in Central, Southeast, and Mekong Delta regions to implement drought and saltwater intrusion prevention measures.