Vietnam province declares state of emergency over drought; thousands without fresh water

Men row their boat on West Lake amid high levels of air pollution in Hanoi on April 1, 2024. Thousands of people in Vietnam are suffering a "severe" shortage of fresh water because of drought and salinisation, prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency. - AFP

HANOI (AFP): Thousands of people in Vietnam are suffering a "severe" shortage of fresh water because of drought and salinisation, prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency on Saturday.

A weeks-long heatwave has brought drought and saline intrusion to an area of Tien Giang province, 60 kilometres (37 miles) south of business hub Ho Chi Minh City.