Water management becoming crucially important
HÀ NỘI — Improved water management can help Viet Nam tackle the threat of climate change, according to Belgium Ambassador Paul Jansen during a workshop held yesterday in Hà Nội.
At the workshop, entitled Water Management in Urban Areas in Việt Nam in the Context of Climate Change, policymakers, universities, research institutions, international development partners and private firms shared knowledge and expertise in the field.
“Urban resilience has always been a key issue in the developing areas of Việt Nam. And now, with the growing threat from climate change, improvements to the urban infrastructure are becoming increasingly more important,” Jansen said.
Việt Nam is one of the countries most affected by climate change, which also influences the interplay between water and urban areas and intensifies the risks of both drought and flooding, according to experts.
In Việt Nam’s rapidly expanding cities, increased development and increased rainfall due to climate change have created significant flood risks, impacting human lives and the economy and creating environmental problems.
Analysis of climate change impact, consideration of increased risk and vulnerability as well as actions for capacity building, awareness raising and infrastructure works were discussed at the workshop.
Prof Phạm Quý Nhân, deputy head of the Natural Resources and Environment University, described the current reality of water usage in Việt Nam.
“At present, 六0 per cent of the population rely on groundwater for their water supply while the groundwater resource has been heavily exploited in some areas”, said Nhân.
“The high extraction rates are causing a rapid lowering of the water levels in key areas around Hà Nội, HCM City and in the Central Highlands. The sustainability of these water sources is under serious threat”, he said.
"Groundwater is very vulnerable to pollution and has a very poor inventory and information system,公众he added.
"Climate change will increase evaporation, reducing rainfall in the dry season above all river basins, causing irrigation water demand to increase,"大众Nhân said.
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