Many of the rivers and canals in the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang have been inundated by an overgrowth of the fast propagating water hyacinth weed that is now obstructing all maneuverability of waterway traffic for the last few months.
Boats have not been able to manoeuvre through the waterways, especially in the last few months, as the rapid growth of the weed has inundated most of the water surface along Kinh Cung Canal in Phung Hiep District.
Huynh Van Tao, from Hoa An Commune in Phung Hiep District, said that he earns his livelihood by transporting rice by boat, and the thick and dense growth of the water hyacinth weed has made this more difficult, also increasing his fuel costs by 8-10 times.
Huynh Van Den said that his main job was to transport sugar cane and rice on a ten ton boat, but now with the water hyacinth obstructing the maneuverability of boats, he has no choice but to work as a mason’s assistant, till the weed growth reduces.
Tens of other rivers and canals in the province are also facing the same condition.
Local authorities in Hau Giang Province have sprayed herbicide 2.4D to destroy the fast propagating weed and for clearing the water way for boat traffic on the rivers and canals.
Le Van Khoi, deputy chairman of the People’s Committee of Long My District said that spraying herbicide 2.4D is the last resort as they know of no other better way. After each spray, authorities warn local residents against using the river water for at least ten days.
Several households along Cai Lon and Cai Chau Rivers and the Kinh Cung Canal use river water for their daily activities.
Associate Professor Nguyen Huu Chien, deputy head of the Natural Resources and Environment Faculty at Can Tho University, warned that 2.4D is highly toxic and harmful to human health.
Besides, it is sold cheap and has no clear manufacturing markings, and use of this herbicide to kill the water hyacinth weed will have serious and unforeseeable consequences in the future, he added.
