Vietnam asks Thailand to clarify Mekong water pumping plan

In response to Thailand's plan to drain the Mekong River and build dams for agricultural purposes, Vietnam has asked Bangkok for clarification at a recent meeting.

Thailand's agricultural sector is also suffering from drought similar to Vietnam. Photo: Reuters

"Vietnam"We have expressed our concerns and requested that Thailand promptly provide specific information on the implementation of the plan at the 42nd meeting of the Mekong River Commission Joint Committee in Can Tho from March 15-17," said Le Hai Binh, spokesman for the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at a press conference this afternoon.

Mr. Binh mentioned the matterSingapore and Cambodian media coverageThailand is pumping a large amount of water from the Mekong River for storage, and is about to build several water gates from Mekong tributaries and build three reservoirs to store water for the country's agriculture.

SpokespersonVietnam's stance on the use of Mekong River water resources has been repeatedly stated. Accordingly, relevant countries must have the responsibility to closely coordinate in the sustainable use of Mekong River water resources, ensuring that hydropower projects on the mainstream of the river do not affect the environment of riparian countries, especially downstream countries, in accordance with international practices and regulations of the Mekong River Commission to ensure the harmony of interests of riparian countries as well as of people living in the region.

According toStraits Times, Thailand has been pumping water from the Mekong River to the northeast of the country since mid-February this year. Thailand's irrigation departmentThe estimated volume of water pumped within three months, from the date of starting pumping, is 47 million cubic meters.

Due to the impact of El Nino, rainfall in the region has decreased sharply by about 20-30% compared to the average of many years, while the amount of water flowing from the Mekong River to Vietnam has decreased by 50%, leading to salinity encroaching deep into the Mekong Delta. In many places, saltwater has penetrated 70-90 km inland, 15 to 20 km deeper than the average of many years. The economy and people's lives of 10/13 provinces and cities such as Long An, Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Tra Vinh Soc Trang... are seriously affected by salinity intrusion.

At Vietnam's request, China has increased the water discharge from the Jinghong Dam in Yunnan to the downstream area from 1,100 cubic meters per second to 2,190 cubic meters per second since March 14, double the average for the same period in previous years. The water discharge is expected to last until April 10.

See also:Explaining why El Nino brings record drought to Southeast Asia

According to VNE