According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, it is forecasted that in the period from April 11 - 20, the Southwest region will be sunny and hot during the day, with showers and thunderstorms in some places in the evening and at night. The highest temperature in the whole region is commonly from 33 - 36 degrees C, in some places higher than 37 degrees C.
The water level of stations in the Mekong River basin changes slowly, upstream stations are lower than the multi-year average (multi-year average: 2012 - 2024) by 0.1 - 0.75m, midstream and downstream stations are higher than the multi-year average by 0.1 - 1m.
Water levels on the Tien and Hau rivers fluctuate according to the tide. The highest water level of the week in Tan Chau is 1.35m, in Chau Doc 1.5m, at a level higher than the multi-year average of the same period from 0.05 - 0.2m.
The tidal water level at Vung Tau station (Ho Chi Minh City), from April 10 - 13, the peak tide tends to decrease, the peak tide level is about 3.5 - 3.6m taking place at about 15 to 16 o'clock.
From April 14 onwards, the peak tide tends to increase, the peak tide water level is about 3.7-3.8m, taking place at about 3 to 5 am and 14 to 16 pm daily.
The tidal water level at Rach Gia station (Kien Giang province) from April 10 - 16, the peak tide tends to decrease, the peak tide water level is about 0.3 - 0.4m taking place from about 7 pm to 9 pm.
From April 17 onwards, the peak tide tends to increase, the peak tide water level is about 0.5 - 0.7m, taking place around 3 pm to 6 pm daily.
The trend of saltwater intrusion from April 11 - 20 in the Mekong Delta tends to gradually increase at the end of the week. The highest salinity at stations is lower than the highest salinity in April 2025.
Salinity boundary depth of 4‰ at major river mouths:
Vam Co Dong, Vam Co Tay rivers: Saline intrusion range 40 - 50km;
Cua Tieu, Cua Dai rivers: Saline intrusion range 20 - 25km;
Ham Luong River: Saline intrusion range 25 - 32km;
Co Chien River: Saline intrusion range 20 - 25km;
Hau River: Saline intrusion range 25 - 32km;
Cai Lon River: Saline intrusion range 20 - 28km.
Localities need to take advantage of storing fresh water when low tide serves agriculture and people's livelihoods.
The meteorological agency assesses that saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta in the dry season of 2025 - 2026 is lower than in 2024 - 2025 and the multi-year average.
High salinity intrusions at the Mekong Delta estuary are likely to concentrate in April 2026 (from April 18 - 21); Vam Co and Cai Lon rivers in April and May 2026 (from April 18 - 21, May 1).
The salinity intrusion situation in the Mekong Delta depends on water sources from the upper Mekong River, high tides and will still fluctuate in the coming time. Localities in the Mekong Delta region need to promptly update meteorological and hydrological forecast information and take proactive measures to prevent saltwater intrusion.
