Mekong River's water flows at record low for third year in a row
The Secretariat of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) has called on the six countries along the Mekong to urgently solve the problems of low flows in the region, abnormal changes in water levels, and drought in the context of record low flows in the lower Mekong River basin for the third consecutive year.
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./.
This year’s flood season in the Mekong Delta is likely to arrive late and if there is insufficient rain in the months to come, drought and saltwater intrusion may plague the region again during the next dry season, experts have said.
The Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat and Facebook on August 31 launched a collaboration initiative to provide early flood alert and drought monitoring information to riparian communities and governments in the Lower Mekong region.
China and the Mekong River Commission (MRC) on October 22 signed an agreement under which China will provide the MRC with year-round hydrological data, contributing to better river monitoring and flood and drought forecasting in the Mekong countries, according to the MRC.
The State audit has pointed out a series of shortcomings in water resources management in the Mekong River basin, highlighting the lack of specific measures to settle disagreements on the management and use of water resources among member countries of the Mekong River Commission (MRC).
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Fishermen catch fish on the Mekong River (Photo: AFP/VNA) 
