Nation Thailand
Eight Thai provinces warned of sharp rise in Mekong water levels
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The Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) has issued an alert for eight northern and northeastern provinces over a rapid rise in Mekong water levels between August 11 and 15, with levels forecast to increase by about 0.5-1.5 metres.
Key facts
- Continuous monitoring has found heavy to very heavy rainfall across northeastern Thailand and central Laos
- Paitoon Kengkanchang, deputy secretary-general of the ONWR, reported that weather assessments for August 10-12 showed that the upper Northeast faced a risk of heavy to very heavy rain
- Areas at risk of receiving more than 90 millimetres of rain include
- The Xayaburi Dam in Laos is currently discharging water at a rate of 14,949 cubic metres per second, which could contribute to widespread flooding in low-lying areas.
Summary
Continuous monitoring has found heavy to very heavy rainfall across northeastern Thailand and central Laos. The ONWR expects Mekong water levels to rise along the stretch from Chiang Khan district in Loei to Khong Chiam district in Ubon Ratchathani during the five-day period.
Relevant agencies and provinces along the Mekong have been instructed to alert riverside communities and closely monitor rapidly changing water levels. Residents have also been advised to exercise caution when travelling by water or carrying out activities on the river, while authorities prepare measures to deal with possible river overflow.