Publications related to Flood and Drought

Protocol for Microplastic Monitoring in Fish
A detailed methodology for long-term and cost-effective monitoring of riverine plastic debris pollution in the Lower Mekong River Basin

With a recent study identified the Mekong River as one of ten rivers to contribute over 90% of plastic debris to the world’s marine environment, there is an urgent need for a reliable data and information on riverine plastic debris pollution and their impacts to the aquatic environment of Mekong River. This Protocol for Monitoring Microplastic in Fihs has been developed and finalized as one of three protocols of the MRC’s Detailed Methodology for the Long-term and Cost-effective Monitoring of Riverine Plastic Debris Pollution in the Lower Mekong River Basin (LMB). The finalization of the detailed methodology was made possible through the concerted efforts and commitment of the MRC Member Countries and support of experts at national, regional and global levels, and included rigorous processes of consultations, capacity building, and piloting to ensure that the methodology is adapted to the situation of the LMB. The methodology aims to provide the much-needed data and information for an improved knowledge and understanding on the pathway and behaviors of plastic debris pollution in the LMB, from land-based sources to riverine environment, and ultimately to the marine environment. Information derived from the long-term implementation of methodology can be used to assess the effectiveness of plastic waste management the LMB.

Download | DOI: 10.52107/mrc.bhv7va | Published on: 19 Jan 2024 | Language: English

Technical Report – Phase 1 of the Joint study on the Changing Patterns of Hydrological Conditions of the Lancang-Mekong River Basin and Adaptation Strategies

This is the 1st phase report of the Joint Study on the Changing Pattern of Hydrological Conditions of the Lancang-Mekong River Basin and Adaptation Strategies, conducted by the MRC and LMC Water Center. The report identifies two key factors that contribute to hydrological changes in the LMB. First are natural factors, including precipitation patterns, evaporation rates, soil properties and topography. Second are human activities, such as infrastructure development, water management, land cover and land-use changes. These two factors interact and influence the amount, timing and water distribution within the Basin.

Download | DOI: 10.52107/mrc.bd0zhw | Published on: 05 Oct 2023 | Language: English

Handbook on Mainstreaming Gender into the Mekong River Commission’s Core Functions and Activities: A Guidebook for a Gender-Responsive and Resilient Lower Mekong River Basin

The Handbook for Gender Mainstreaming into the MRC Core Functions and Activities offers a supporting tool – or a guiding note – to assist the MRC to effectively integrate a gender perspective into all aspects of its work, from the development, update and application of strategic tools, procedures, normative guidelines, studies, and organizational strengthening to designing and advocating for joint actions. It also provides a working aid to integrate gender perspectives during the course of the BDS 2021–2030 and SP 2021-2025 implementation, and beyond

Download | DOI: 10.52107/mrc.ajutqn | Published on: 30 Dec 2022 | Language: English

Joint Environmental Monitoring Programme at Two Mekong Mainstream Dams: The Don Sahong and Xayaburi Hydropower Projects

The report provides an overview of activities conducted and resulting recommendations from monitoring two mainstream dams: Don Sahong and Xayaburi hydropower projects. It summarizes the pilot monitoring results from the first pilot site report for each hydropower project and the Combined Annual Report in a way that illustrates how findings in hydrology, sediment, water quality, aquatic ecology, and fisheries can be interpreted together. Based on the findings, it provides some initial suggestions for mitigation and adaptive management of construction and operation of hydropower projects. It also concludes with recommendations for revisions to the guidelines and monitoring protocols that can then be incorporated into the JEM Programme document.

Download | DOI: 10.52107/mrc.aqrs7o | Published on: 19 Aug 2022 | Language: English

Proceedings of the 1st ASEAN-MRC Water Security Dialogue: Solutions for a Changing Region

This is the proceedings of the 1st ASEAN–MRC Water Security Dialogue, organized on 19–20 August 2021. It captures key messages from the Dialogue, which serves as a platform to exchange novel ideas and identify possible areas for collaboration to further strengthen regional and local capacities in addressing water scarcity, water pollution, and water-related disaster risks, such as flood and drought. The inaugural ASEAN–MRC Water Security Dialogue tables three thematic solutions related to policy, technology, and partnership that can help countries in the Mekong and broader ASEAN address existential water security challenges that confront the region.

Download | DOI: 10.52107/mrc.ajutqy | Published on: 10 Jun 2022 | Language: English

Mekong Low Flow and Drought Conditions in 2019–2021
Conditions in 2019–2021: Hydrological Conditions in the Lower Mekong River Basin (Technical Report)

This technical report unravels the underlying drivers of the extremely low flows and drought based on an analysis of the available data the MRC has collected. Based on the findings, it suggests potential measures to address and mitigate the impacts of the hydrological droughts and storage on the Basin’s people.

Download | DOI: 10.52107/mrc.qx5yo7 | Published on: 13 Jan 2022 | Language: English

Annual Mekong Hydrology, Flood and Drought Report 2019: Drought in the Lower Mekong Basin

This paper reports on the condition of the Basin in 2019, including its hydrology/water flow, flood and drought. The year saw recorded unprecedented flow conditions in the Mekong mainstream and from tributaries. Erratic climatic fluctuations were also found, ranging from extreme dry to extreme wet within short periods of time. The report ends with key recommendations, looking forward.

Download | DOI: 10.52107/mrc.ajutoy | Published on: 27 Dec 2021 | Language: English

Social Impact Monitoring and Vulnerability Assessment (SIMVA) 2018
Report on 2018 baseline survey of the Lower Mekong mainstream and floodplain areas

SIMVA 2018 is the third survey of its type and was conducted in the same sites and used the same methods of collecting primary household and village data, as the SIMVA 2014 and 2011 exercises. Covering 2,800 households in 200 villages the 2018 survey shows that communities in the Mekong mainstream corridor were still dependent on the river resources for their livelihoods, income, and well-being. As such, they are still vulnerable to changes in the Mekong water resources. However, their overall dependency has decreased with other, non-water resources-related livelihood activities playing increasingly important roles. From 2014 to 2018 the percentage of households engaging in fishing decreased across the region from 50% to approximately 37%. The study also indicates growing incidence of flooding, possibly as a result of climate change and other factors, including water infrastructure development. Government support in livelihood diversification and disaster coping strategies is essential and there is much room for improvement in this regard.

Download | DOI: 10.52107/mrc.qx5ynt | Published on: 18 Oct 2021 | Language: English

Completion Report for the MRC Strategic Plan 2016–2020
Achievements the Completion Report 2016–2020 presents the MRC’s key

Achievements in terms of the completion of outputs, the achievements of outcomes and financial performance during the five-year implementation of the MRC Strategic Plan 2016–2020 and its Annual Work Plans. It also includes the lessons learned from that period, and how they formed the basis of the next planning cycle – the Basin Development Strategy 2021–2030 and the MRC Strategic Plan 2021–2025.

Download | DOI: 10.52107/mrc.qx5ynu | Published on: 23 Jul 2021 | Language: English

Situation Report on Dry Season Hydrological Conditions in the Lower Mekong River Basin: November 2020–May 2021

This Situation Report presents a preliminary analysis of the Lower Mekong River Basin hydro-meteorological conditions over the 2020–2021 dry season. It shows fluctuations in water levels in the upper reaches of the Mekong mainstream in Lao PDR and Thailand, as well as low water volume stored in the Tonle Sap Lake. Rainfall in April–May was the highest on record for these months for the last 18 years in places. Overall, flows in the Mekong in the first five months of 2021 were also higher than the long-term average, except for December 2020 where flows in the Mekong mainstream were closer to normal. But river flows did not increase significantly.

Download | DOI: 10.52107/mrc.qx5yo1 | Published on: 30 Jun 2021 | Language: English

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