Falling Mekong River levels result in improving conditions in Isaan

Falling Mekong River levels result in improving conditions in the northeast

FILE photo

UBON RATCHATHANI, 8 August 2018 (NNT) – Water levels in the Mekong River in the northeastern region of Thailand are showing signs of falling allowing villagers of Kong Jiam district in Ubon Ratchathani to return home. 

Residents of Non Sawan village in Kong Jiam district of Ubon Ratchathani have returned to repair and clean their homes after evacuating to higher ground for over a week due to the high level of the Mekong River. The levels have now dropped by over one meter, allowing for damage assessments and a return to normalcy for residents. 

The river level is also gradually falling in Nong Khai province and has dropped below 10 meters for the first time in weeks. Citizens living near the province’s sluice gate have been warned that it will be slowly opened in the coming days and that they may need to employ water pumps to avoid inundation. If rains continue in the Lao PDR the situation could still remain a cause for concern. 

In Bueng Kan province, a pause in rains and the falling level of the Mekong River have improved the situation in four districts that have been underwater for several days with only low lying areas still contending with waters. The Royal Irrigation Department has kept three sluice gates in Bueng Kan open to release 4.3 million cubic meters of water each day into the Mekong River to help Seka and Muang districts. The process has been slow going due to the high level of the river but should pick up as its levels fall.

 

-- nnt 2018-08-08