Mekong Delta could be decimated by sea level rise
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The Mekong Delta, Vietnam's biggest agricultural hub, might experience a sea level rise of 30cm sooner than expected - as early as 2040, says a World Bank report.
Released last week and titled “Turn down the heat: Climate extremes, regional impacts and the case for resilience”, the report said the rapid rise would mean a loss of about 12 per cent of crop production due to inundation and salinity intrusion. It was projected that rice production could drop by about 2.6 tonnes per year.
The report said the Mekong Delta and two other river deltas in Asia were particularly at risk because they were less than two metres above sea level.
It said that rising sea levels, more intense tropical cyclones and land subsidence caused by human activities would disrupt the main economic activities of the delta – agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and tourism.
The Washington-based development bank estimated the cost of adapting shrimp and catfish aquaculture in the Mekong Delta would range from US$130-190 million (Bt4.04 billion-Bt5.91 billion) per year.
Ho Chi Minh City was also declared to be among coastal cities in Southeast Asia hardest hit by rising seas and increased storm surges. The report claimed that up to 60 per cent of the built-up area could expect rises of up to one metre.
Ajali Acharya, the World Bank Vietnam’s environment cluster leader, said the report provided scientific evidences on which Vietnam and development partners could help the country move along the low-carbon, climate-resilient, sustainable-development path.
