Mekong dwellers get flood alert
People living along the Mekong River have been alerted to rising water levels as authorities monitor the situation and stay prepared for emergencies around the clock. The Mekong levels in the northeastern province of Nong Khai rose quickly on August 21, by 7 cm per hour, according to Nong Khai’s hydrology authorities under the Water Resources Department. Nong Khai municipality mayor Kampol Muangkhote ordered officials to close the sluice gates and the province’s drainage system linking to the Mekong River to prevent inflows into the province. Provincial disaster mitigation officials are monitoring the river and have set up a flood prevention centre to deal with emergencies.
