Prolonged drought worsens in Vietnam's central region

Hanoi, June 3 (VNA) – Vietnam’s central region is likely to endure longer heat waves than average, worsening its prolonged drought, said the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF). The severe water shortage is forecast to last until early September, resulting in widespread saltwater intrusion in river mouth areas, the centre said, noting that some southern areas of the region could also face extreme drought. The NCHMF added the rainy season in the Central Highlands, southern region, and central Binh Thuan province will arrive later than previous years due to the impacts of the El Nino weather pattern. Rainfall in June is also predicted to be lower than the traditional average. The water volume of rivers in the central and Central Highlands regions is forecast to be 30-60 percent less than the traditional average, dipping as low as 95 percent less volume in some provinces south of the central region, including Binh Thuan. The water level of many downstream rivers could reach record lows, the centre warned. In central Quang Tri province, lingering heat waves have killed more than 500 hectares of pine forests previously damaged by caterpillars. Another 400 hectares are unlikely to recover due to the severe weather conditions./.