Laos helps lower Mekong River basin battle drought
Laos started releasing water from its dam to help the lower Mekong River basin mitigate the impacts of prolonged drought from March 23.
According to Lao Minister of Energy and Mines Khammany Inthirath, Laos discharged a volume of 1,136 cubic metres per second to the lower Mekong River basin between March 23 and the end of May.
The move aims to save vulnerable regions from acute drought, especially Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region, which has faced a critical water shortage and saline intrusion in the past months.
China and Thailand are currently supplying 2,254 cubic metres and 220 cubic metres per second, respectively, to the lower Mekong River basin, raising the total water discharge to the area to 3,610 cubic metres per second.
The release of this amount of water will play a crucial part in lessening drought in the lower reaches of the Mekong River.
The move aims to save vulnerable regions from acute drought, especially Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region, which has faced a critical water shortage and saline intrusion in the past months.
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The release of this amount of water will play a crucial part in lessening drought in the lower reaches of the Mekong River.
