S.E. Asia – Mekong River Levels expected to rise as Tropical Storm Conson approaches

[ASEAN NOW News]

Heavy rainfall in several parts of the Lower Mekong River Basin is contributing to the rise, with river levels above their long-term averages, mostly at the upper stations, according to MRC’s observed water level and rainfall data.

 

Mekong River (File Photo)

 

Most regions of Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand can expect to be drenched in the next few days as heavy rain is forecast as Tropical Storm Conson approaches.

 

Conson, is currently forecast to move off the coast of the Philippines and into the South China Sea by Thursday afternoon.

 

Conson can approach, or directly strike, China's Hainan province early this weekend before potentially tracking into Vietnam early next week.

 

Umbrella weather

 

 

As it approaches the storm will likely bring a 70-80% chance of rain in all regions in the next 24 hours.

The downpours in many parts of the country are likely to continue until next Monday.

 

Vietnam’s forecast for Wednesday September 8^th is mostly cloudy with a couple of soaking shower s with 9.77mm of rain expected.

 

The region received approximately 40% higher than average rainfall in July when compared to the same period between 2015 and 2020, the MRC added.

 

“Due to heavy rainfall, dams in the Lower Mekong including those on the tributary released large amounts of water during 24–25 July, causing water levels to surge quickly,” said Dr Lam Hung Son, Head of the MRC Secretariat’s Regional Flood and Drought Management Centre.

 

He added that it was not immediately clear whether these surges caused any damage.

 

“Sudden water releases from tributary dams increasingly pose a challenge to accurate forecasting of river levels,” Dr Son said, noting that the MRC has installed 67 automatic hydrometeorological stations along the Mekong mainstream and tributaries to collect rainfall and water level data.

 

Thailand levels increased

 

The water level in Thailand’s Chiang Saen, the second uppermost monitoring station in the LMB, increased from 3.10 metres (m) to 6.5m between July 20 and 23, a rise of almost 3.5m. But the level receded approximately 1m during July 24–26.

 

Lao PDR’s capital city Vientiane saw its river level surge more than 4.83m during the last seven days, but the level is expected to drop by about 0.30m over the next five days.

 

From Nakhon Phanom in Thailand to Pakse in Lao PDR, river levels rose more than 3.10m and may continue to rise by approximately 1.60m over the next five days.

 

In Cambodia, water levels in the stretches from Stung Treng to Neak Luong in Prey Veng were reported to have increased by 0.85m in the same period. Throughout the next five days, levels are forecasted to rise by a further 2.60m.

 

Meanwhile In Vietnam's Mekong Delta encompassing Tan Chau on the Mekong River and Chau Doc on the Bassac River, water levels fluctuated between maximum and minimum values because of tidal effects.

 

The MRC continues to monitor water levels across the Mekong region amid erratic weather patterns.

 

With the world's strongest monsoons, this region stretches from the South China Sea into the Indian Ocean and includes Asia and the northern end of Australia.

 

From June until September, summer monsoon rains occur in South Asian countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and India.