Mr. Bui Van Tham - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Ben Tre province - said that according to the assessment of the Ben Tre Provincial Hydrometeorological Station on the situation of natural disasters that may occur in the area, the province is likely to experience saltwater intrusion in the upper zone. The deepest salinity boundary in the 2024-2025 dry season is likely to be low and less deep than the 2023-2024 dry season, equivalent to the 2022-2023 dry season.
The deepest salinity intrusion occurs in February - March 2025 (Dai, Ba Lai and Co Chien rivers in February - March; Ham Luong river in March). Salinity of 4.0‰ penetrates about 44 - 58km from the river mouth, salinity of 1.0‰ penetrates about 53 - 72km from the river mouth.
According to forecasts, high tides in Ben Tre province are gradually rising and are expected to peak in November 2024. The 2024 rainy season is likely to end later than the average of many years. From now until the end of the rainy season, there will still be many heavy rains and widespread rains. The situation of riverbank and coastal erosion, big waves, strong winds, thunderstorms at sea, storms and lightning on land also has many complicated developments.
Mr. Tham said that the Provincial Party Committee, Provincial People's Committee, and Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention, Control, Search and Rescue of Ben Tre province have directed sectors and localities to continue reviewing and updating plans on prevention and response to all types of natural disasters. At the same time, the Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention, Control, Search and Rescue at all levels must be strengthened according to regulations; resources (forces, equipment, materials, logistics, funding, etc.) must be ensured according to the 4-on-the-spot motto, ready to respond when situations arise to meet the requirements and tasks of natural disaster prevention, control, search and rescue.
The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Ben Tre province recommends that localities in the area regularly and closely monitor forecasts and warnings from specialized agencies on developments and natural disaster situations, and disseminate knowledge and measures on prevention and timely response to natural disasters to people to proactively take appropriate measures to prevent and respond to natural disasters.
Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Ben Tre province, Bui Van Tham, recommends that people take measures such as: Organizing reinforcement and bracing of houses, when there is rain and thunderstorms, limit going out unless there is an urgent matter... Regularly monitor and update information on the media to promptly receive information on forecasts and warnings of natural disasters, and proactively prevent them.
Regarding crops (especially those with high economic value such as durian, rambutan, green-skinned grapefruit...), livestock, production and business activities, Mr. Tham recommends that people proactively reinforce and protect assets, production, proactively store fresh water for irrigation... to limit damage.
