Water crisis looms as Thai upstream plan may cut supply to Cambodia, Vietnam

[geovalin]

By Minh Hung - Le Quan, Thanh Nien News

Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, which has already endured years of water shortages due to upstream dams in China and Laos, now faces yet another threat as Thailand is planning major irrigation projects to retain more water for itself.

In a recent move, Thailand’s National Water Resources Committee has approved in principle two projects to divert water from the Mekong River for agricultural purposes to overcome a water shortfall, Thai media reported.

Suphot Tovichakchaikul, chief of the Department of Water Resources, said that water from the Moei, a Salween tributary bordering Myanmar, could possibly be diverted into the Bhumibol dam in the western province of Tak while water from the Mekong River could be piped to other major dams in the northeastern region.

The government would spend 64 billion baht (US$1.8 billion) on the two projects, Bangkok Post quoted the official as saying. The projects are aimed at supplying water to 480,000 hectares of farm area, mainly in the northeast.

Many Vietnamese and international experts have called for Thailand to reconsider the plan as it would exacerbate dire consequences that the Mekong Delta already suffered from hydropower dams built by China and Laos.

Le Anh Tuan, deputy director of Can Tho-based Institute of Climate Change Research warned that the lowlands in Cambodia and Vietnam will be hit the hardest by Thailand's projects.

There will be serious impacts on biodiversity, sediment levels and underground water, he said.

Pham Hong Giang, chairman of the Vietnam National Commission on Large Dams and Water Resources Development, said Thailand’s plan will likely attract opposition from neighboring countries.

"In 2015, water levels were low and there was no flood. Fish harvests were reduced and million households were effected.

“There is already a shortage of freshwater,” he said.

A commentary published by The Nation last week said that water diversion has always been one of the solutions engineered to tackle drought issues in Thailand.

It said pumping water from the Mekong is complicated because there are six countries that have to share this river.

“Pumping water out of rivers, apart from having an adverse environmental impact, can also trigger conflicts between countries. Also, since river-bank erosion is one of the most serious and immediate threats, few countries go for this option,” the commentary said.

More of this long article here :

http://www.thanhniennews.com/society/water-crisis-looms-as-thai-upstream-plan-may-cut-supply-to-cambodia-vietnam-58319.html

[clockman]

Wars will be fought over water. Thailand only has a panic policy. In any situation.

[retarius]

What will Thailand say when China siphons off all the water?

[elgordo38]

What will Thailand say when China siphons off all the water?

They have the muscle to do it. One minute they are all signing trade deals and the next fighting over water. Lack of water makes strange bedfellows. The gloves really come off.

[Ulic]

Everybody wants there share and the problem is the further upriver you are the more

you think you have the right to decide what that share is.