DEVELOPING TOOLS ON ASSESSING THE EFFECTS OF SALINE INTRUSION ON SOCIO-ECONOMY AND APPLYING EXPERIMENTAL CALCULATION FOR THE MEKONG DELTA

Abstract

Today, there are many publications on damage assessment caused by natural disasters including flood, landslide, storm, etc. However, the studies in the evaluation of saline intrusion damage are still limitted and not being done in the quantitative way. The damage evaluation is usually statistically after the saline intrusion events occurred, so it does not mean much in responding and preventing this type of disaster. This study proposes a method of assessing (estimating) the damage of saline intrusion on humans and socio-economy and developing an impact assessment tool with an intuitive and vivid interface. This tool has been applied for the Mekong Delta in the saline intrusion event in 2016. The estimated results of damage to the aquaculture industry and agriculture are about 16,875 billion VND 21,655 billion VND, respectively. Some provinces are strongly affected by the saline intrusion, such as Ca Mau, Bac Lieu, Kien Giang, Soc Trang, and Ben Tre. In fact, the forecasting maps of saline intrusion combined with this tool will allow users to predict the corresponding damage level immediately and identify the object, area, scope, and influence level on the map. This information is helpful for local agencies to take preventive and response measures.