Climate change is not just a threat in the Mekong River Basin. Its impact is present and affecting the livelihoods of the millions who rely on the river’s natural resources. The Lower Mekong River Basin (LMB), comprising Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, and Viet Nam, is recognised as one of the region’s most vulnerable to climate change. The economies of the LMB countries, their ecosystems, sustainability, and social harmony are all at risk.
Climate change has reduced the flow of the Mekong River over the past ten years, and causing impacts for the Mekong Delta in the region, including Viet Nam. The Mekong Delta in Viet Nam was now facing two challenges, consisting of sea-level rise and the use of water, said Anoulak Kittikhoun, Chief Executive Officer of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat at the 13th Mekong River Commission regional stakeholder forum, organised on October 5 in Luang Prabang Province in the Lao People's Democratic Republic.
Attending the 13th Mekong River Commission regional stakeholder forum were government officials from MRC member countries (Viet Nam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand), as well as agencies involved in energy, environment, fisheries and irrigation work and other development activities related to water.
The private sector includes hydropower dam developers and those who manage, develop or invest in hydropower dam projects along the Mekong mainstream and its tributaries as well as other development partners of the MRC. The Vietnamese delegation was led by Mr. Truong Hong Tien, Deputy Chief of Office of the Vietnam National Mekong River Committee.
Within the framework of the forum, a draft on the current status of the Mekong River basin was also presented for delegates to discuss. Some key findings include climate change contributing to changes in the flow of the Mekong River, a 50-year average temperature increase of 1.4 degrees Celsius across the basin, and the number of days with heavy and moderate rainfall also decreased in countries.
At the forum, delegates heard the report on the status of the Mekong River basin in 2023 by the International Mekong River Commission, which showed that the flow regime of the Mekong River has changed, being higher than the average during the dry season and lower than average during the rainy season. Low flow during the rainy season has also reduced reverse flow in Tonle Sap, contributing to increasing the area of salinity in the Mekong Delta. Along with that, the amount of sediment passing through the Committee's monitoring stations also decreased significantly, contributing to riverbank instability and coastal erosion.
Local people catch fish in an flooded field in the Mekong Delta province of Hậu Giang.— VNA/VNS Photo Duy Khương
Talking to the press at the 13th regional stakeholder forum, Mr. Annoulak Kittkhoun, Executive Director of the International Mekong River Commission, said this forum is a regular mechanism for outreach and communication with stakeholders, from government, private sector, academia and the community and is an open forum where everyone can attend and share their views, opinions and concerns about related issues.
Mr. Annoulak emphasized that the Mekong River's flow regime is no longer natural. Specifically, the flow in the dry season is higher than average and in the rainy season the flow is lower. This brings both positives and potential negatives. The Commission, together with member states and China, is studying the causes and reasons for the changes to identify measures to adapt to these changes.
According to experts, not only has the flow changed, the quality and quantity of Mekong River water flowing downstream has also decreased, affecting agricultural production and aquaculture, especially the Mekong Delta region of Viet Nam.
Mr. Nguyen Nhan Quang, former Deputy Secretary General of the Viet Nam Mekong River Commission, said that if water quality declines, it will affect aquaculture. Besides, if water quality declines, it means that sometimes the water quality does not have enough silt to build up our river delta, and from there it will have an indirect impact on causing riverbank erosion and making erosion more and more serious in the Mekong Delta.
Conducted every five years, the report shows that the flow of the Mekong River has changed. The water quality of the Mekong River has decreased, causing there to not be enough silt for the downstream delta. The impacts of climate change on the Mekong River are also becoming clearer. Although average fish abundance from catch data increased or was stable in most areas, there were significant decreases in the Khone Falls area (the border area between Laos and Cambodia) and and Vietnam's Mekong Delta.
In order to solve problems related to the Mekong River basin, Mr. Annoulak said the biggest challenge for countries in the Mekong River basin is increasing development. These developments not only bring countries many benefits but also cause challenges and pressures on the environment. The impact of climate change is also an issue facing countries in the Mekong River basin. To address the above challenges, the International Mekong River Commission always encourages joint projects and co-management of related issues.