Protecting water resources in the face of climate change

Tuyen Quang, endowed with abundant natural resources, especially surface and groundwater, is facing unprecedented challenges due to rapid economic development and the increasing impacts of climate change. The province’s river and stream systems are under pressure as extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and heavy rainfall, disrupt the water cycle and water quality.

Officials from the Department of Agriculture and Environment inspect the wastewater treatment system at Son Duong Sugar Factory.

According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the province has experienced 20 natural disasters so far this year. Prolonged heatwaves during the dry season have caused local droughts, affecting agriculture and daily life, particularly in mountainous areas. Conversely, extreme rainfall during the wet season has led to floods, landslides, and the contamination of water sources, severely impacting water quality and availability. A recent flood in late September and early October destroyed 71 irrigation and clean water facilities, affecting the water supply for hundreds of thousands of households.

Phung The Hieu, Director of the Department of Geology, Minerals, and Water Resources, stated that climate change has forced Tuyen Quang to manage both water scarcity and excess. A flexible and long-term water management strategy is essential. The province is focusing on forest protection programs, especially around large hydroelectric reservoirs, to slow runoff and recharge groundwater.

In response to climate challenges, technology plays a vital role in water management. The Provincial Meteorology and Hydrology Center has installed automated monitoring stations to track water quality and flow, enabling early warnings of droughts and floods. Tuyen Quang is also working with neighboring provinces to safeguard shared water resources.

Protecting water resources is not only the government's responsibility but also a collective task for society, requiring community involvement in forest protection, pollution control, and technological solutions.

Doan Thu