El Nino 2014/2016 is the strongest El Nino on record

(Baonghean.vn) - The latest assessment of the drought and saltwater intrusion in the following months of the 2016 dry season by the Central Hydrometeorological Center shows that the 2014/2016 El Nino phenomenon is currently considered a record-breaking strong El Nino, with an intensity equivalent to the 1997/1998 El Nino.

Severe drought in the Mekong Delta due to the influence of El Nino. Photo: Internet

Additionally, the 2014/2016 El Nino is likely to be one of the longest lasting El Ninos ever (about 20 months).

According to the latest observations, the forecast error of sea surface temperature will continue to decrease rapidly and El Nino will likely end and return to neutral state from around June-July 2016.

Sea surface temperature bias is likely to decrease rapidly in the following months, so the possibility of La Nina phenomenon appearing from the last months of 2016 is relatively high.

In addition, according to world meteorological forecasters, snow in the Tibetan plateau in the summer months of June-August 2016 will melt more than the average. The amount of water from this melting snow will likely have impacts on the flow of the Mekong River.

The Center's assessment of water flow and salinity intrusion shows that currently, the water level at Stung Treng station (Cambodia) is maintained at a stable level (2.7m). Thus, the water flow to the Mekong River from now until the end of April will remain at 3100-3800m3/s.

In May 2016, the flow from the upper Mekong River to the Mekong Delta will likely decrease compared to last April and will be at the same level as the average./.

Red River