HCMC – In response to the escalating saltwater intrusion during the dry season, the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang has closed sluice gates along the Cai Be and Cai Lon rivers.
From April 2 to 4, inland waterway traffic near the Cai Be and Cai Lon sluice gates will be restricted, as announced by the Inland Waterways Administration Branch III under the Vietnam Inland Waterways Administration.
This measure is aimed at facilitating the operation of the sluice gates to regulate river water flow, thereby mitigating the impact of saltwater intrusion. During the closure period, vessels will be permitted to navigate through the sluice gates only via designated navigation locks.
To ensure safety, an inland waterway signaling system will be activated, with regulatory forces overseeing traffic in the vicinity of the sluice gates.
The decision to implement this measure stems from declining water levels upstream in the Mekong River, exacerbating saltwater intrusion into coastal areas. This phenomenon, coupled with soaring temperatures and intense evaporation rates, poses a significant threat to shrimp farming.
If the drought persists, salinity levels will exceed allowable thresholds in Vinh Thuan, An Minh, and An Bien districts of Kien Giang Province, severely impacting production.
