Since the start of this year, the level of rainfall in Da Nang, and Central Viet Nam as a whole, has been lower than the average level in previous years.

The An Trach Anti-Salinity Pumping Station

Also, the water level of major rivers in the city has been lower than its normal level. The amount of water stored in hydroelectric reservoirs has been depleted.

As a result, drought and saline intrusion phenomena is expected to occur in the city in complicated manner, which will result in an increased risk of water shortages in the city in days to come.

In their efforts to deal with the problem, the Da Nang authorities have provided more than 360 billion VND of funding to raise the daily capacity of the An Trach Anti-Salinity Pumping Station.

The project is scheduled to be carried out in the communes of Hoa Tien and Hoa Chau in Hoa Vang Rural District from the fourth quarter of this year until the third quarter of next year.

Under the project, the daily capacity of sourcing water from the An Trach Dam located on Yen River will be increased from 210,000m³ to 420,000m³ for Cam Le District- based Cau Do (Red Bridge) Water Supply Plant.

The much-awaited project comes amid the city facing a significant risk of severe drought, salinity intrusion and water shortages during this year’s dry season due to the negative impact of the prolonged hot and dry spell over recent weeks.

Deputy General Director of the Da Nang Water Supply Company Tran Phuoc Thuong said, thanks to the operation of two temporary anti-saline intrusion dams built on a section of the Cam Le River, the salinity levels at the Cau Do Water Supply Plant has been reduced significantly.

“But of course that is only a temporary solution. These temporary dams will be removed to prevent flooding in the upcoming rainy season” Mr Thuong noted.

When being asked for long-term solutions, Mr Thuong revealed that his company will consider the construction of anti-saline intrusion dams on rivers in the time to come to ensure the delivery of adequate water for local residents.

He added the construction of anti-saline intrusion dams in rivers will benefitl some localities nationwide. Included are Ninh Thuan, Khanh Hoa, Binh Dinh and Quang Tri.

By THANH LAN - Translated by M.DUNG