Transition of flooding patterns and environmental flow in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam over the last 2 decades

Huynh Vuong Thu Minh (), Nguyen Dinh Giang Nam (), Tran Sy Nam (), Nguyen Cong (), Pankaj Kumar () and Nigel K. Downes ()
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Huynh Vuong Thu Minh: Can Tho University
Nguyen Dinh Giang Nam: Can Tho University
Tran Sy Nam: Can Tho University
Nguyen Cong: Can Tho University
Pankaj Kumar: Institute for Global Environmental Strategies
Nigel K. Downes: Can Tho University

Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, 2025, vol. 121, issue 11, No 12, 12665-12694

Abstract: Abstract Over the past 2 decades, the Vietnamese Mekong Delta has undergone significant changes in flooding patterns and environmental flow, driven by climate change and human activities. This study investigates these transitions, focusing on the impacts of rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and extensive dam construction upstream. Using the Indicators of Hydrologic Alteration in combination with Flow Duration Curves, we quantify the changes in hydrological parameters and assess their ecological and socio-economic consequences. Our findings reveal a marked increase in low flow events, a reduction in the duration of high flows, and a shift in seasonal flow timing. These changes have disrupted the natural flow regime, with significant repercussions for aquatic ecosystems, agriculture, and local livelihoods. The study emphasizes the urgency of adopting holistic transboundary water management strategies to mitigate the adverse consequences of hydrological changes and ensure sustainable development in the region.

Keywords: Vietnamese Mekong Delta; Hydrological alteration; Flooding patterns; Environmental flow; Climate change; Flow direction curves (FDCs) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s11069-025-07291-3

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