Bangkok (VNA) - The water level of the Mekong river in Nakhon Phanom, Thailand’s northeastern province bordering Laos, is dropping by 10-20 cm a day, according to local media.

The water level is currently about 1.50 metres, about 11 metres below the top of the river bank, the Bangkok Post reported.

The Mekong river’s tributaries, including Nam Oun, Nam Songkhram and Nam Kam streams, are also running out of water. Water levels in major reservoirs in the province's 12 districts have also dropped to only 10-20 percent of their holding capacities, affecting rice crops that are currently close to being harvested.

Due to the low water level, a large rock on which a Buddha footprint is engraved is visible in the middle of the river.

The rock with the Buddha footprint in Woen Phra Bat village of Tha Uthen district, believed to be more than 2,000 years old and highly revered by people on both sides of the river, can usually be seen only in the dry season between March and April.

Local people said this is the most unnatural phenomonon in 50 years.

In late July this year, the water level of the Mekong river in Nakhon Phanom dropped to the lowest level in almost 100 years, exhibiting the rock with the Buddha footprint./.
VNA