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Key Concepts:

• Triều cường (Tidal surge): A phenomenon where unusually high tides occur, often exacerbated by weather conditions, leading to significant flooding.
• Lũ (Flood): The overflowing of a large amount of water beyond its normal confines, especially over what is normally dry land.
• Đê bao (Dike/Embankment): Structures built to prevent flooding.
• Vườn cây ăn trái (Fruit orchards): Areas dedicated to growing fruit trees.
• Hoa màu (Crops/Vegetables): Agricultural crops, often referring to vegetables and short-term produce.
• Thiệt hại (Damage/Loss): The harm or loss caused by an event.
• Mất trắng (Complete loss): A situation where an entire crop or investment is lost.

Impact of Prolonged Flooding and Tidal Surges in the Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta region has experienced over a month of continuous flooding and tidal surges, resulting in devastating losses for thousands of hectares of rice paddies and fruit orchards, severely disrupting the lives of residents.

Agricultural Losses and Damage

• Tây Ninh Province: According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Tây Ninh, two major tidal surge events between October 7th and October 24th caused widespread inundation.

  • Affected areas include:
    • 250 hectares of rice.
    • Nearly 2,600 hectares of fruit orchards.
    • 200 hectares of crops/vegetables.
    • 4 hectares of aquaculture.
  • Additionally, 38 sections of dikes, totaling 30 kilometers in length, were eroded.

• Đồng Tháp Province: Local authorities reported that the combination of floods and tidal surges led to flooding in 25 communes and wards.

  • Approximately 11 hectares of crops/vegetables were lost.
  • 360 hectares of newly planted rice were completely destroyed.
  • Nearly 600 hectares of fruit orchards suffered damage.

Historical Scale of the Event

In the final days of October, the Mekong Delta experienced a flood and tidal surge event described as "historic," with water levels in some areas exceeding the peak recorded in the year 2000. The rapid rise of water overflowed dikes, submerging thousands of hectares of crops and numerous long-standing fruit orchards, causing severe financial hardship for the local population.

Case Studies of Farmer Losses

• Dương Trường An (Hòa Long Commune, Đồng Tháp): Over 20,000 square meters of chili and cucumber fields belonging to Mr. Dương Trường An were submerged overnight due to the rising tide. The crops were nearing harvest, but the dikes could not withstand the pressure. Mr. An stated, "The dikes broke, and now the water has flooded everything. The motors are submerged, so we can't pump anything. The chili and cucumber fields are worth about 100 million VND."

• Hoàng Phong (Đồng Tháp 10): Mr. Hoàng Phong invested over 350 million VND, a combination of savings and bank loans, into a 1.5-hectare durian orchard. The trees were developing well and were close to harvest. However, after just a few hours, the entire orchard was submerged in murky water. Mr. Phong expressed his despair, saying, "The dike broke, and I saw the leaves falling off and the trees dying. I don't have the heart to cut them down when they are so full of fruit. I can't bear to cut them either, because I've nurtured them so carefully."

Impact on Long-Term Orchards

• Cù Lao Tăng Phong (Tiền River, Đồng Tháp): This area is a specialized zone for long-term fruit cultivation. The recent high tides overwhelmed many dikes. After the water receded, numerous durian and jackfruit orchards, which were bearing fruit, showed signs of wilting, root rot, and eventual death.
  • The dike breaches affected 40 to 50 hectares of land.
  • Farmers cultivating durian, some of whom were in the process of inducing flowering or had fruit ready for sale, and those with jackfruit, experienced losses that were "more severe than in previous years."

Overall Economic Impact and Future Concerns

• Incomplete Statistics: Preliminary data indicates that the recent tidal surge combined with heavy rainfall caused losses to nearly 4,500 hectares of agricultural land in the Mekong Delta, with estimated damages in the tens of billions of Vietnamese Dong.
• Ongoing Threat: Farmers are facing continued anxiety as forecasts predict high tidal surges in the coming days. Many weak dikes remain at risk of breaching, posing a persistent threat to agricultural production and livelihoods.