The central, Central Highlands, and southern regions are likely to face water shortages and even droughts during the dry season from March to September this year, as rainfall in the regions are forecast to be significantly below traditional averages, according to the National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting.

The centre also warned of reduced water levels in most rivers in the regions, resulting in sea water intrusion, and a late-arriving rainy season this year.

The three regions have already suffered from water shortages in the first two months of 2015, with rainfall levels dropping 20-70 percent in some areas. The situation was especially severe in the southern central provinces, with some localities having no rainfall thus far.

Water levels in reservoirs have reached only 50-85 percent of their designed capacity, with the levels reaching only 10-30 percent in reservoirs in Khanh Hoa and Ninh Thuan province.

According to the centre, temperatures across the country will be above average during the dry season.

Despite these changes, the situation in the central, Central Highlands and the southern region is not expected to be as severe as last year.

VNA