Channel launched to forecast flood and drought risks in Mekong

The Mekong Flood and Drought Forecast Channel provides regular updates on current water levels, flows, and forecasted flood and drought risks for people living along the Mekong River, broadcasting in English with subtitles in Mekong languages.

It will broadcast every Monday during this rainy season on the MRC Secretariat's Facebook and YouTube pages.

The Mekong River experiences flooding every year, bringing both benefits in fisheries and sediments, and possible damage to infrastructure and danger to people's lives.

MRC said drought, on the other land, has lasted longer and become more severe over the past two decades, and the Lower Mekong River Basin is likely to see more severe droughts in the future due to less precipitation, high air temperature, and high evaporation.

The increase in populations relying on Mekong water has also increased water demand from all sectors, it said.

Around 60 million people live on the Mekong River.