Le Thi Ha from a cooperative in Ngoc Thuy ward, Gia Lam district says farmers cannot get enough water to irrigate their fields as the water level in the river has dropped to a very low level. She has every reason to worry about, as the dry season will last another five or six months.
Nguyen Tien Nhan from Bach Dang street says some people have taken advantage of the situation. From the sand banks in the middle area of the river they can walk easily to Bach Dang street - a convenience not possible before - and some have decided to organise their birthday party out there.
In the meantime, most residents feel a bit confused about what’s happening around them. Nguyen Thi Hong, a permanent resident in the area says they now have to use water from the bottom of the river near the Long Bien bridge piers.
Nguyen Dang Duoc, another resident says what worries him most apart from the shortage of safe water is that fishermen’s boats will suffer damage sooner or later in the dry season.