Water Resources Minister Calls for ‘Closer Monitoring and Stronger Action’ as Mekong Water Flows Change
Phnom Penh, December 06, 2023 --
Water Resources and Meteorology Minister H.E. Thor Chetha has called for greater collective efforts to mitigate the impacts of flood and drought amid changing hydrological conditions on the Mekong River.
The minister, who currently chairs the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Council, made the call during a recent visit to the MRC Regional Flood and Drought Management Centre in Phnom Penh.
In a statement released Tuesday, the MRC Secretariat in Vientiane said the minister urged the region to improve its forecasting of worsening floods and droughts — as well as advanced warnings to the millions affected.
He praised the Centre, MRC and its four members – Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam – for "substantial progress in monitoring, forecasting and communicating about Southeast Asia’s most important river” but urged even greater “collective efforts” to mitigate the flood and drought impact.
The statement noted that the Tonle Sap Lake had “dramatically shrunk in recent years due to low Mekong flows.”
“The change in hydrological conditions, flood and drought require our focused attention, closer monitoring and stronger action, with technological innovation and more linkages between the MRC Secretariat and member countries,” H.E. Thor Chetha said.
“This centre’s operational capability should also be further strengthened, in the areas of its expertise and technological innovation.”
‘THE CLOCK IS TICKING’
The statement said “the clock is ticking for more substantive action on this transboundary challenge" as both MRC and UN studies had predicted a future of climbing temperatures, rising sea levels and even drier droughts.
In addition to “timely, accurate information, delivered via advanced technologies and innovation,” H.E. Thor Setha called for “greater access to this early information for the most vulnerable residents,” the statement said.
He also highlighted the need for a “sharper focus on flood management and protection measures, not just forecasting, especially in residential and economic areas” as well as “tighter cooperation” with China and Myanmar.
