Hanoi (VNA) – The Mekong River Commission (MRC) released a study on October 9, highlighting the need for China and Southeast Asian nations to share data on storage levels and hydropower operations as water levels in the river at historic lows due to climate change and human activities.
The Joint Study on the Changing Pattern of Hydrological Conditions of the Lancang-Mekong River Basin and Adaptation Strategies, is conducted by the MRC in collaboration with the Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Centre (LMC Water Centre).
It said that the Mekong River's flow dropped to the lowest levels in more than six decades from 2019 to 2021, impacting agriculture, fishery and livelihoods of more than 60 million people in Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
The study attributed the situation to natural factors such as rainfall patterns, evaporation rates and topography for the decline, but also cited human activities such as infrastructure development and water management as contributing to the dry conditions of the river.
The study recommended "real-time sharing of storage levels and hydropower operations" and enhanced notifications of sudden changes in the way water storage operates among Mekong countries, including China, which is crucial in improving management of the 4,350-km long river.
It also includes a call to action, beyond increased data sharing, with multiple medium-term recommendations that should be driven by “sound science and common understanding.” They include coordinated management of water resources; a comprehensive drought and flood management strategy; more joint studies; and a capacity building plan for water policymakers, managers, engineers, and scientists, addressing knowledge gaps through formal and informal training.”
Data showed that there are currently 13 hydropower dams built on the mainstream of the Mekong River./.
The Joint Study on the Changing Pattern of Hydrological Conditions of the Lancang-Mekong River Basin and Adaptation Strategies, is conducted by the MRC in collaboration with the Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Centre (LMC Water Centre).
It said that the Mekong River's flow dropped to the lowest levels in more than six decades from 2019 to 2021, impacting agriculture, fishery and livelihoods of more than 60 million people in Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
The study attributed the situation to natural factors such as rainfall patterns, evaporation rates and topography for the decline, but also cited human activities such as infrastructure development and water management as contributing to the dry conditions of the river.
The study recommended "real-time sharing of storage levels and hydropower operations" and enhanced notifications of sudden changes in the way water storage operates among Mekong countries, including China, which is crucial in improving management of the 4,350-km long river.
It also includes a call to action, beyond increased data sharing, with multiple medium-term recommendations that should be driven by “sound science and common understanding.” They include coordinated management of water resources; a comprehensive drought and flood management strategy; more joint studies; and a capacity building plan for water policymakers, managers, engineers, and scientists, addressing knowledge gaps through formal and informal training.”
Data showed that there are currently 13 hydropower dams built on the mainstream of the Mekong River./.
VNA
