The 2019-2020 drought that caused the lowest water level in recent history has affected riparian communities from Northern Thailand to the Vietnamese Delta. Using hydro meteorological data, we identified three key causes. One, the reduction of wet season flow by Chinese dams in the UMB. Two, an extreme dry year that further decreases the amount of water available in the Mekong river. Three, the operationalisation of Xayaburi and its infilling period
Category: Article
China’s Diversion of Upstream Mekong Flows Seen Drying Up Southeast Asia
Analysts say Chinese officials are diverting so much water from dams along the upper Mekong River system that Southeast Asian countries are going dry during prime agricultural seasons and turning to other powers for help.
Gov’t cancels public claims of ownership in sanctuary
The government has repealed all previously issued letters certifying sales, purchases, transfers, occupation or ownership of any land within the Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary.
Boats Washed Away When Lao Dam Releases Water Without Warning
Residents living near a small dam in Laos are calling on its operators to warn them before releasing water after unexpected flooding this week washed away or sunk more than 10 boats used by village fishermen.
Lao Village Farmland, Paddies Destroyed by Work on Lao-China Railway Line
“And though they came to collect information about the damage, they haven’t done anything yet to help us,” a farmer said. “We farmers have now filed a complaint with the China Railway Engineering Group, requesting compensation and a solution to the problem.”
China can help solve the debt and environmental crises
They report that several countries under greatest China debt stress show great promise for both debt-for-nature and debt-for-climate swaps, including Angola, Cambodia, Myanmar, and the Solomon Islands, which score highest across simultaneous climate and biodiversity threats and opportunities.
Housing for southern Lao flood victims to be complete in 2021
Some 496 of 700 planned new homes have been completed for victims of the dam failure in southern Laos’ Attapeu province, and will be ready for residents in 2021.
Ethnic Groups Demand Input in Myanmar Land Reforms
Ethnic minority farmers and Kachin, Karen, Rakhine, Mon, Chin and Karenni development organizations have demanded that the new government postpone the reforms, saying the legislation was drafted by the central government and neglects traditional land use methods.
The guardians of Siamese rosewood
For Siamese rosewood, all roads eventually lead to China, Redford says, where some see the wood as an investment commodity.
Tra Vinh to dredge irrigation canals to better cope with dry season
The dredging of 162km of canals in the Mekong Delta province will increase their capacity and help prevent the severe shortage of freshwater caused by saltwater intrusion during the dry season in recent years.