Mekong Drought, Tonle Sap Fish Shortage Tied to Low Rainfall, Hydropower: MRC

[geovalin]

The Mekong river endured three years of drought and its lowest-ever water levels due to minimal rainfall as well as the actions of upstream hydropower dams, which had spillover effects for the Tonle Sap lake and Cambodia’s fishing industry that relies on it, according to a new report.

 

The Mekong River Commission reported that water flows down the mainstream were lower than average for three years it studied — 2019, 2020 and 2021 — with the worst impact of drought and low water flows hitting downstream countries. The wet season, when river volumes are at their deepest, was also reduced to four months as they started in July — one month later than usual — for the last three years, the report says.

 

The Tonle Sap lake, whose unique flood-pulse system depends on the Mekong, also saw the lowest water levels on record during the last three years. Abnormally low water levels were likely the primary cause of fish shortages, which have become a constant bane for Tonle Sap fishers.

 

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