Salt penetration has extended further inwards into the mainland in the southern region, according to the Southern Regional Hydro Meteorological Center.
The salt intrusion has increased salinity levels to 6‰ at the Nha Be – Dong Nai river mouth. Whereas the salinity level in the Saigon River measured 2.5‰ at the point of Thu Thiem Bridge.
Nguyen Minh Giam, director of the Meteorological Center, said that the above salinity levels were very high. At salinity level of only 0.25‰, the river water would become unsuitable for irrigation or daily usage.
The Center predicts that in the next few days, the high tide along with the northeasterly winds would worsen and increase the salt intrusion in the area.
According to Truong Khac Hoanh, deputy director of the Thu Duc Water BOO Company, the water source for the company’s operation at Hoa An Station in Dong Nai Province has not yet been affected, with the salinity level between 0.2‰ to 0.3‰.
However, should the hot and dry conditions prevail longer; the salt intrusion will worsen, especially if the Tri An Hydropower Plant is forced to conserve water for electricity production.
