Natural disasters and their effects on livelihoods of the people in Vinh Long province

Abstract

Vinh Long is one of the provinces in the Mekong Delta affected by natural disasters. Some of them (salinity intrusion, droughts, floods and landslides) have greatly affected the livelihoods of the people in the province. Field survey, data collection and analysis of official statistics showed that in 2017 flooding and tidal inundation affected 27.03% (24,497.27 ha) of agricultural land. Droughts also affected about 30% of the rice land area (equivalent to 17,600 ha). Drought together with salinity intrusion from the east entering inland caused salinity up to 5.5Cyclones also occurred with low frequency, affected about 102 hectares of crops. River bank landslide and erosion of four major river mouths and several small branches in the province were also revealed. Many sections of the rivers experienced landslides of more than 2.7km in length and erosion up to 32m.