Eight Thai provinces warned of sharp rise in Mekong water levels
Eight provinces along the Mekong in northern and northeastern Thailand are on alert for possible overflow from August 11-15, with water levels expected to rise by 0.5-1.5 metres.
- Thailand's water authority has warned eight northern and northeastern provinces of a rapid rise in Mekong River levels between August 11 and 15.
- Water levels are forecast to increase by 0.5 to 1.5 metres due to heavy monsoon rains in Thailand and Laos, as well as water discharge from the Xayaburi Dam.
- The eight provinces under alert are Chiang Rai, Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, and Ubon Ratchathani.
- Authorities have instructed relevant agencies to alert riverside communities and prepare measures to handle potential river overflows.
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.
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.
The eight provinces under surveillance are Chiang Rai, Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen and Ubon Ratchathani.
Particular attention is being paid to low-lying riverside areas in Tha Uthen, That Phanom, Ban Phaeng and Mueang Nakhon Phanom districts in Nakhon Phanom, as well as Don Tan, Mueang Mukdahan and Wan Yai districts in Mukdahan.
ONWR coordinates with Mekong members over rising river levels
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. The conditions are being driven by a monsoon trough extending across the upper North and Laos, combined with a relatively strong southwesterly monsoon.
Areas at risk of receiving more than 90 millimetres of rain include:
- Bueng Kan: Mueang Bueng Kan, Bung Khla, Seka, Si Wilai and Bueng Khong Long districts.
- Ubon Ratchathani: Mueang Ubon Ratchathani, Tan Sum, Don Mot Daeng, Sawang Wirawong, Buntharik, Sirindhorn, Det Udom, Na Yia and Phibun Mangsahan districts.
- Nakhon Phanom: Tha Uthen, Si Songkhram and Na Wa districts.
Accumulated heavy rain in Myanmar and Laos is also contributing to a continued rise in Mekong water levels. 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.
The ONWR has coordinated with Mekong River Commission (MRC) member countries and the Mekong River Commission Secretariat (MRCS) to closely monitor inflows, river levels and dam discharge plans across the Mekong Basin. The coordination is intended to improve water forecasts and ensure that warnings can be issued to communities in a timely manner.
Relevant authorities are also implementing rainy-season preparedness measures, including deploying machinery and equipment at vulnerable locations, dredging canals and removing vegetation that could obstruct waterways.
Water-control gates are being managed in line with Mekong levels. Authorities are prepared to close gates and deploy pumps immediately if high Mekong levels cause water to back up, with the aim of preventing flooding of farmland, homes and communities.
Information and warnings are also being distributed through available channels to minimise the potential impact on lives and property.
Hydro-Informatics Institute expects Mekong to keep rising
The Hydro-Informatics Institute expects heavy to very heavy rain to continue across the Northeast through August 12, adding more water to river systems in the region.
Mekong levels are expected to continue rising, particularly in riverside areas of Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan and Ubon Ratchathani.
Meteorological Department forecasts further heavy rain
The Thai Meteorological Department forecasts isolated heavy rain across Thailand from August 11-14 as a monsoon trough extends across Myanmar, the upper North and upper Laos towards a low-pressure cell over upper Vietnam.
A relatively strong southwesterly monsoon is also prevailing over the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand.
From August 15-17, isolated heavy rain is expected to persist in the North, Northeast, Central region, East and the west coast of the South.
The conditions will be influenced by a monsoon trough extending across the upper North and upper Laos, together with a relatively strong southwesterly monsoon prevailing over the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand.
