TITLE:
Assessment of Water Scarcity Levels in the Srepok River Basin
AUTHORS:
Le Van Linh, Tu Anh Nguyen, Nguyen Anh Duc, Tran Van Tra, Nguyen Thanh Long, Dang Dinh Duc, Tran Duc Thinh, Nguyen Thi Bich
KEYWORDS:
Water Scarcity Level, Water Balance, Climate Change, RCP 4.5, Srepok River Basin
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Modern Hydrology,
Vol.14 No.4,
October
30,
2024
ABSTRACT: Water scarcity has become a pressing global issue, worsening food security, hindering economic development, compromising environmental quality, and threatening human health and other fundamental societal needs. Viet Nam is among the countries severely affected by water scarcity. This study comprehensively assesses the extent and scale of water scarcity in the Srepok River Basin, considering the impacts of water resource allocation, balance, and environmental flows. The areas heavily affected by water scarcity include Ea Hleo, Ea Krong Ana, and several Srepok River branches, with water scarcity periods mainly concentrated in February, March, and April. The influence of climate change has increased the extent and level of water scarcity in the river, affecting an estimated 1.4 million people for at least one month and about 1 million for at least three months. The agricultural sector is significantly affected by water scarcity, with water shortages of 50% according to the baseline scenario and over 60% according to climate change scenarios.