Mekong River Monitoring
Last Week’s Situations
Last week, Jan 19-25, water levels (WLs) along the lower Mekong River in Thailand’s Chiang Saen slightly decreased about 0.53 metre but still higher about 0.07 metre above its long-term average (LTA). Water level at Lao PDR’s Luang Prabang was stable compared with last week and stay increased about 3.09 metre above its LTA due to the influence of dam operations upstream and Xayaburi. WLs at the monitoring stations from Chaing Khan to Vientiane in Thailand and Lao PDR decreased but stay above their LTAs, except at Nong Khai water level below its LTA. WL at Lao PDR’s Paksane decreased below its minimum level since 4th January 2021 (3 weeks up to today), considered as very critical. This low water level is probably due to the influence of upstream dam operation. WLs at Nakhon Phanom to Pakse in Lao PDR and Thailand decreased below their LTAs. WLs in Cambodia’s Stung Treng and Kratie slightly decreased but still matched with their LTAs, while from Kompong Cham to Neak Luong on the Mekong River, Chaktomuk to Koh Khel on the Bassac River and Prekdam on the Tonle Sap River decreased below their LTAs. For the tidal stations at Viet Nam’s Tan Chau and Chau Doc, WLs fluctuated with their LTAs due to daily tidal effects from the sea.
Next Week’s Trends
Next week, from Jan 26 to Feb 1, WLs along the lower Mekong River from Thailand’s Chiang Saen will slightly increase, and still above its LTA, while water level at Lao PDR’s Luang Prabang will continue to stay close to its Maximum level. From Thailand’s Chiang Khan to Lao PDR’s Vientiane and Thailand’s Nong Khai will slightly decrease, follow the same trends from upstream and remain below their LTAs, except at Paksane in Lao PDR, the WLs at these stations are below their historical minimum levels. WLs from Nakhon Phanom to Pakse in Lao PDR and Thailand will continue to slightly decrease below their LTAs, and from Cambodia’s Stung Treng to Kratie will decrease and still stay match with their LTAs, while from Neak Luong on the Mekong River, Chaktomuk to Koh Khel on the Bassac River and Prekdam on the Tonle Sap River will decrease below their LTAs. For the tidal stations at Viet Nam’s Tan Chau and Chau Doc will likely fluctuate below their LTAs, effected by the tidal process.
For more details on the near-real-time monitoring data for each station click here
Location | Last week's situation (Jan 19-25) | Trend for next week
(Jan 26-Feb 1) |
Subregion | |||
Below Min | Below LTAs | Above LTAs | Above Max | |||
Chiang Saen | Upper Part | |||||
Luang Prabang | ||||||
Chiang Khan | ||||||
Vientiane | ||||||
Nakhon Phanom | Middle Part | |||||
Mukdahan | ||||||
Pakse | ||||||
Stung Treng | Lower Part | |||||
Kratie | ||||||
Kompong Cham | ||||||
Phnom Penh (Bassac) | ||||||
Tan Chau | Delta | |||||
Chau Doc |
The MRC Regional Flood and Drought Management Centre (RFDMC) issues weekly drought and river flow monitoring and forecasts during the dry season.
River Monitoring and Forecast Bulletin
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