Serious drought is afflicting the central, central highlands and southern regions of Vietnam, with the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting saying that in the first two months of this year, average temperatures are up to one degree Celsius higher than usual and rainfall is down to 20-70 that of last year.

Serious drought in Vietnam’s central, southern regions

Water levels in major rivers in the central and central highlands, notably the Cai River in Khanh Hoa Province, have dropped dramatically, while the Mekong River and Cuu Long River are 20-30 percent lower than a year earlier.

Meteorologists said Vietnam is facing an EL Nino from March to September, and temperatures can be expected to be higher than average, with rainfall in the central, central highlands and southern regions much lower than usual.

Hundreds of households in Phuoc Trung Commune, Bac Ai District, Ninh Thuan Province are already struggling with drought conditions.

Tran Quy Duong, chairman of Phuoc Trung Commune, said much of their farm land is parched due to the shortage of water and crops are dying, as are most of the poultry.

People in Phuoc Trung Commune, Ninh Thuan Province are facing drought conditions