German experts studying Mekong River water management
Recent research from experts at the German Foundation for Science and Politics (Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik - SWP) highlighted shortcomings in managing the Mekong River’s water resources.
Drought in Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang (Source: VNA)Berlin (VNA) - Recent research from experts at the German Foundation for Science and Politics (Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik - SWP) highlighted shortcomings in managing the Mekong River’s water resources.
They noted that more extreme weather phenomena and frequent natural disasters in Southeast Asia have caused substantial ecological, human, and economic damage.
The Mekong River is an example of challenges in national and regional stability associated with climate change, they added.
The Mekong River flows through six countries and benefits more than 65 million people. Reduced rainfall between May and October last year triggered a prolonged drought that, experts believe, may lead to significant crop losses this year. A previous long-lasting drought affected hundreds of thousands of hectares and caused crop losses totalling more than 380 million USD.
The effects of drought are exacerbated by the Mekong River’s water level, which has been falling for many years. In 2019 and 2020 the water level, especially in the Mekong Delta, fell to its lowest point for 100 years.
Lower water flows into the Delta, along with a rise in sea levels, has led to the increasing salinity of arable land. The area available for agricultural production is now shrinking as a result, the German experts found.
Falling water levels, they added, are not only the result of climate change but also the impact of population growth and economic development in the Mekong region as well as the construction of a large number of dams in the river’s upper reaches.
They emphasised that transnational water management must take into account economic development as well as the social and ecological effects./.
You should also see
Airports to offer 9,000 domestic flights during upcoming holidays
Vietnamese airlines are expected to operate 9,000 flights on domestic routes to meet the travel demand during the upcoming National Reunification Day (April 30) and May Day (May 1) holidays, according to the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV).
See more
World
Thailand expects wave of tourists during Golden Week
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) estimates that about 996,000 foreign tourists will visit the Southeast Asian country between April 26 and May 5, known as the Golden Week holidays in Japan, during which Chinese tourists also prefer to travel overseas.
World
Argentinian media praises Dien Bien Phu Victory
Argentinian newspapers have called Vietnam's Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954) a symbol of the national liberation movement of oppressed and colonialised peoples worldwide.
World
Laos speeds up granting licences to foreign workers
Laos's Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare plans to issue visas to illegal foreign workers and extend permits to legal ones so that they can continue to work in the country.
World
Argentinian scholar praises Vietnam’s April 30, 1975 victory
The complete reunification of Vietnam on April 30, 1975 was an extremely significant event in the history of the country and the world, opined a scholar from the Institute for International Relations at the National University of La Plata, Argentina.
World
Malaysia tackles food security challenges
Empowering local communities in the agriculture sector to attract young people to this field is one of the measures taken by Malaysia to address labour shortage while also contributing to tackling challenges in food security.
