Mekong Countries Urged to Take Action as River Experiences Three Years of Low Flows
The Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat has renewed its call for the six Mekong countries to urgently address regional low flows, water fluctuations and drought as the Lower Mekong River experiences record low flows for the third consecutive year.
During the last three years, flows in the Mekong mainstream have dropped to their lowest levels in more than 60 years, with 2020 being the LMB’s driest year when rainfall was below normal levels in every month except October, according to a new report.
The report, ‘Mekong Low Flow and Drought Conditions in 2019–2021,’ notes that since 2015 the hydrological regime has changed, with more dry season flow and reduced wet season flow caused by increased storage reservoir in the basin. This has resulted in both positive and adverse consequences.
Latsamy Phonevilay
