Fishermen catch fish on the Mekong River (Photo: AFP/VNA) Vientiane (VNA) – The Secretariat of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) has calledon the six countries along the Mekong to urgently solve the problems of low flowsin the region, abnormal changes in water levels, and drought in the context of record low flows in thelower Mekong River basin for the thirdconsecutive year.
According to theMRC’s report titled ‘Mekong Low Flow and Drought Conditions in 2019–2021’, which was released on January 13, over the last three years, flowson the Mekong mainstream have decreased to levels not seen in more than six decades. This has resulted inknock-on impacts on fisheries and agriculture and the people’s livelihoods ofthe Mekong Delta. These conditions have persisted through to the wet seasons of2020 and 2021.
According to AnPich Hatda, Chief Executive Officer of the MRC Secretariat, the six countriesalong the Mekong River – China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam – should take immediate steps to mitigate the crisis.
These includeestablishing a common notification mechanism for unexpected fluctuations ofwater levels and studying the possibility of coordinating in the operation managementof reservoirs and hydroelectric dams.
He also suggested those countriesconsider building more reservoirs to handleemergency drought and flood situations./.
According to theMRC’s report titled ‘Mekong Low Flow and Drought Conditions in 2019–2021’, which was released on January 13, over the last three years, flowson the Mekong mainstream have decreased to levels not seen in more than six decades. This has resulted inknock-on impacts on fisheries and agriculture and the people’s livelihoods ofthe Mekong Delta. These conditions have persisted through to the wet seasons of2020 and 2021.
According to AnPich Hatda, Chief Executive Officer of the MRC Secretariat, the six countriesalong the Mekong River – China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam – should take immediate steps to mitigate the crisis.
These includeestablishing a common notification mechanism for unexpected fluctuations ofwater levels and studying the possibility of coordinating in the operation managementof reservoirs and hydroelectric dams.
He also suggested those countriesconsider building more reservoirs to handleemergency drought and flood situations./.
VNA
