Chuck Kuhn's Asia in Photos: Climate change 92% of Mekong Delta under water in 2100?

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Climate change 92% of Mekong Delta under water in 2100?

Climate change could spell doom for delta

VietNamNet Bridge – Average temperatures in northern central Viet Nam can rise by 3.5 degrees centigrade and dry season rainfall reduce by 30 per cent by 2100, according to a new climate change report prepared by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

The new predictions are based on updated data collected from 200 meteorological stations and satellites. It paints a worse scenario than an earlier report in 2009 which estimated average temperature increase at 2.8 degrees centigrade and rainfall reduction at 18 per cent.

In the new version, by 2100, hot days with temperatures over 35 degrees centigrade would double in comparison with now.

Rainfall would raise 2-7 per cent in the rainy season but drop significantly during dry season.

The report divides climate change impacts into three categories: low, medium and high, depending on the level of emissions and socio-economic development.

At the medium level, if the sea water rises by 1m, around 2.5 per cent of land area in central coastal provinces, 10 per cent of the Hong River Delta, 20 per cent of HCM City and 39 per cent of the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta would be inundated.

Four per cent of the railway system, nine per cent of highways and 12 per cent of provincial roads would be suffered.

If emissions increased at higher levels in Viet Nam and the world, the sea levels are expected to rise by 2m, in which case the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta would virtually cease to exit with 92 per cent under water.

The Hong River Delta and HCM City would lose 30 and 36 per cent of their land respectively.

The scenarios sketched in the report are expected to inform plans formulated to tackle climate change by concerned ministries and departments.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News

No comments:

Post a Comment

They say "

“I can’t say what made me fall in love with Vietnam - that a woman’s voice can drug you; that everything is so intense. The colors, the taste, even the rain. Nothing like the filthy rain in London. They say whatever you’re looking for, you will find here. They say you come to Vietnam and you understand a lot in a few minutes, but the rest has got to be lived. The smell: that’s the first thing that hits you, promising everything in exchange for your soul. And the heat. Your shirt is straightaway a rag. You can hardly remember your name, or what you came to escape from. But at night, there’s a breeze. The river is beautiful. You could be forgiven for thinking there was no war; that the gunshots were fireworks; that only pleasure matters. A pipe of opium, or the touch of a girl who might tell you she loves you. And then, something happens, as you knew it would. And nothing can ever be the same again.”
― Graham Greene, The Quiet American

Tips on Travel to Vietnam

It's always warm in Southeast Asia apart from high mountains, so leave the heavy clothing at home. Cotton and breathable fabrics are always better than synthetics -- although cotton does wrinkle a lot when traveling! December through April is roughly the dry season in that region, although it can still rain a little. December is a good time to go in terms of temperature -- cooler than in the humid summertime. Either way, wearing more clothing (shirt sleeves and long pants) is always more respectful towards the Asian culture, especially when visiting temples and rural areas.