Khmer Times —
The Mekong River flows have dropped to their lowest level in more than 60 years for three consecutive years, with 2020 being the Lower Mekong Basin’s driest year when rainfall was below normal levels in every month except October, according to a report.
The Mekong River Commission secretariat released its100-page long report last week, saying that the “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. However, the 2019–2021 period was exceptional due to highly reduced rainfall and worsening climate conditions, it said.
“Together, these factors may have adversely affected fisheries and agriculture outputs, pressured the Delta people’s livelihoods, and threatened to disturb the Mekong Basin’s delicate ecosystems. Proactive cooperation is essential, not just from China but from all the MRC Member Countries, to jointly address these issues,” An Pich Hatda, Chief Executive Officer of the MRC Secretariat, said.