MPS orders police units to respond to saltwater intrusion and drought in Mekong Delta

• Mekong Delta takes measures against saltwater intrusion
• Tra Vinh needs VND76 billion to cope with drought, saline intrusion

The dispatch was sent to the High Command of Mobile Police, the Fire Police Department, the Traffic Police Department, the Police Department of Management of Prison, Compulsory Re-education Center and Reformatory, and Provincial Police Departments of Long An, Dong Thap, Tien Giang, An Giang, Ben Tre, Vinh Long, TraVinh, HauGiang, KienGiang, SocTrang, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau and Can Tho.

Illustrative image.

The dispatch reads: Dry weather and the decreased volume of water from the upstream of the Mekong River along with the negative impact of the high tide season, have caused drought and saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta, especially in the coastal area. This situation has triggered a severe shortage of clean water to local people.

Recently, prices for freshwater have increased, affecting the production and life of local people. It is forecasted that saltwater intrusion will be worsened later in April.

In order to effectively cope with the saltwater intrusion and clean water shortage in the Mekong Delta, the MPS requests the mentioned public security units to strictly implement the Dispatch No. 369/CD-TTg issued on March 25, 2021 by the Prime Minister, and instructions of the Central Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, the National Committee for Incident and Disaster Response and Search and Rescue, the MPS, and the local authority on the response to saltwater intrusion and clean water shortage in the Mekong Delta.

The local police units should closely follow up the news and weather forecasts from the mass media to take appropriate response measures; at the same time, they should enhance information dissemination on weather phenomena and safety approaches in communities as well as mobilize forces and means to support local people.

The High Command of Mobile Police and the Fire Police Department to direct their subordinate units to prepare forces and means and collaborate closely with local authorities and local police to respond to situations upon request.