In 2019, the monsoon rains began almost two weeks late and stopped about three weeks earlier than usual,” it added. “The basin lost about five weeks of rain and only received about 75% of rainfall as compared to previous years.
Category: Mekong
China to strengthen information sharing, cooperation with Mekong River countries
Spokesperson Geng Shuang made the remarks in response to media reports that China’s dams on the upper Mekong River have aggravated drought in downstream countries.
The COVID-19 rice economy: what a pandemic means for Southeast Asia’s staple
Restrictions on exports, drought in the Mekong, labour shortages and supply chain issues will all limit supply and drive up prices despite the demand-side issues of a global economic slowdown.
Thailand Proposes Joint Study with China, Neighbors on Mekong River Drought
Thailand on Friday called for a joint study with China and neighboring countries to determine what caused a devastating drought in the Lower Mekong Basin last year, after a U.S.-funded report indicated that Chinese dams had restricted the flow of water downstream.
Coronavirus lockdown leads to a spike in poaching of critically endangered animals
‘Suddenly rural people have little to turn to but natural resources and we’re already seeing a spike in poaching,’ said Colin Poole, WCS regional director for Greater Mekong in Southeast Asia.
China’s drain on Mekong
Nobody will buy China’s defence as long as it offers no transparency on its use of Mekong water upstream.
Creating a sustainable sand industry requires greater regulation: Here’s why
Problems are most visible in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. Providing half of the country’s food, this network of rivers and swamps is known as the rice bowl of Vietnam. Now, its riverbanks are being stripped away.
Mekong river groups urge China to show transparency after dam report
“We cannot just sit around and wait for China to say when they are releasing the water from their dams; Mekong countries need to have a say on this too.”
China’s post-COVID-19 woes to flow through the Mekong
China will struggle to rebuild its productive capacity, supply chains and markets. Therefore, China is likely to turn to consolidating power in its own backyard — the Mekong region of Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam.
Chinese dams held back Mekong waters during drought, study finds
“If the Chinese are stating that they were not contributing to the drought, the data does not support that position.”