Mekong River group urges more data sharing on hydropower operations
The inter-governmental Mekong River Commission (MRC) has urged China and Southeast Asian countries to share more data on hydropower operations that can contribute to abnormal rises and falls in water levels on the vital waterway.
The changes in water levels have affected navigation, river ecosystems and riverbank stability in the region, where tens of millions depend on the Mekong for their livelihoods.
In a report released on Wednesday (Jun 30), the MRC said hydropower dams were holding back water at the start of this year’s dry season, but releases were partially triggering higher-than-average water flows in the first five months of this year.
Reuters/dv
