Vu Duc Long, deputy director of National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

The volumetric flow rate of rivers in the central and Central Highlands region are currently around 40-80% lower than the average level. Many rivers such as Ca in Nghe An and Ba in Phu Yen have seen an on-year drop of up to 80%. 

The current water level of both irrigation and hydropower reservoirs in the central and Central Highlands region is 2-66% lower than their designed capacity. For instance, the rate is 11-25% for hydropower reservoirs in the northern central region and 10-66% in the southern central region. 

Long added that due to the impact of El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO), this year's average temperature in Vietnam would be 0.5-1.5 degrees centigrade higher than that of previous years. 

The total rainfall of the dry season this year in the country, including the central region, would be much lower than the average level of previous years. 

The central region is facing the higher threat of drought and saline intrusion, particularly in Thanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces and the Central Highlands and southeastern region. 

The problem is likely to spread to coastal localities in the central region, which would be even more serious in the dry season last year. 

Localities in the Mekong Delta are also taking prompt action to help local residents adapt to drought and saltwater intrusion during the dry season.