Vietnam faces water shortages due to El Niño forecasts

Vietnam is preparing for significant water shortages driven by the projected impact of El Niño during the upcoming dry seasons. In Dak Lak province, more than 42,000 households face the risk of lacking domestic water, while over 100,000 hectares of crops may suffer from insufficient irrigation.

In the border commune of Ia Rve, residents are proactively storing rainwater and using conservation methods to mitigate the depletion of groundwater and collective water systems. The situation is expected to be more severe due to the anticipated intensity of El Niño.

In Can Tho, local authorities have issued directives to enhance water resource management and prevent shortages caused by drought and saltwater intrusion. Officials noted existing challenges in water management, including unauthorized groundwater drilling, inadequate infrastructure in coastal areas, and the need for better database management to comply with the 2023 Law on Water Resources.