HCMC – Severe pollution has hit sections of the Vam Co Dong River flowing through the Mekong Delta province of Tay Ninh, with blackened water, foul odors, and mass fish deaths alarming thousands of riverside residents.
The pollution began appearing early this month, particularly around canals and pumping stations in Long Thuan, Ben Cau, and Thanh Duc communes. Residents said this year’s pollution is far worse than in previous years, describing the river water as thick and black like oil, with a strong stench disrupting daily life. Workers operating pumping stations also reported skin irritation after coming into direct contact with the contaminated water.
The incident comes during the peak dry season and the start of the summer-autumn rice crop, placing many farmers in a difficult position. Despite concerns over severe water contamination, farmers have continued pumping river water into fields to save newly planted rice from extreme heat.
According to irrigation management agencies, polluted water has spread into major canals such as Vam Bao Canal, directly affecting large pumping stations including Long Khanh, Long Thuan, and Ben Dinh.
According to local authorities, similar pollution episodes tend to recur at the beginning of the summer-autumn crop every year, typically lasting 10 to 15 days and causing significant damage to ecosystems and agricultural productivity.
Following complaints from residents, local officials conducted on-site inspections but have so far not identified any production facilities directly discharging wastewater within the communes concerned.
As the Vam Co Dong River is a key water source for both agricultural production and daily use, local authorities have urged relevant departments and agencies to quickly determine the source of upstream pollution and implement long-term solutions to prevent recurring contamination and protect local living conditions.
