Mekong River Monitoring
Last Week’s Situations
According to MRC’s observed water level at Jinghong showed decreasing about 0.10 m from
536.63 m to 536.53 m during the weekly monitoring period from 17 to 23 May 2022
(recorded on 7:00 am), and staying about 1.39 m lower than its two-year average
(2020-2021) value. The Eyes on Earth (Mekong Dam Monitor) mentioned that during the dry
season, river flow contributions from China account for the largest portion of
sub-basins. In April, 36% of flow came from snowmelt and dam releases in China.
Last week, from 17 to 23 May 2022, water level (WL) along the lower Mekong River in
Thailand’s Chiang Saen was increasing about 0.35 m and stay about 1.54 m higher than its
Long Term Average (LTA) level, which is considered normal. WL at Lao PDR’s Luang Prabang
rapidly decreased 0.09 m compared with last week and stay 0.22 m higher than its
historical maximum value. WLs at the monitoring stations at Chiang Khan in Thailand
increased by about 0.05 m, while at Vientiane in Lao PDR decreased about and 0.18 m. The
current WLs at these stations are about 2.72 and 2.28 m respectively higher than their
LTA values, which considered abnormal. WLs at Nong Khai and Paksane increased 0.06 m and
1.05 m, respectively, and staying about 1.31 m higher at Nong Khai while at Paksane is
about 0.53 m lower than its Maximum value.
From Nakhon Phanom in Thailand to Pakse in Lao PDR, WLs increased in between 0.65 m and
1.15 m during the monitoring report. The current WLs at Nakhon Phanom to Pakse were
staying close to their maximum levels, considering abnormal. WLs in Cambodia’s Stung
Treng to Kompong Cham increased between 0.65 m and 0.97 m, staying slightly lower than
their maximum levels. From Chaktomuk, Koh Khel on the Bassac River and Prek Kdam on the
Tonle Sap River increased about 0.50 m, staying higher their LTA values. For the tidal
stations at Viet Nam’s Tan Chau and Chau Doc, WLs fluctuated between their minimum and
LTA levels, due to daily tidal effects from the sea and considered as critical. The
current WLs higher than their maximum values are at Luang Prabang, Chiang Khan,
Vientiane and Pakse while the rest of the key stations are higher than their LTA values.
Next week’s Situations
Next week, from 24 to 30 May 2022, WLs along the lower Mekong River from Thailand’s Chiang Saen will decrease about 0.33 m and will remain higher than its LTA, while WL at Lao PDR’s Luang Prabang will increase about 0.85 m and stay still higher than its maximum level. From Thailand’s Chiang Khan to Lao PDR’s Paksane will increase from 1.30 m to 1.80 m for the next 7 days. WLs from Nakhon Phanom in Thailand to Pakse in Lao PDR will increase about 1.75 m and will higher close to their maximum values. From Cambodia’s Stung Treng to Kompong Cham will increase about 1.45 m, while at downstream of Chaktomuk at Phnom Penh, Koh Khel, Neak Luong and Prek Kdam will increase about 0.55 m. These stations will stay higher than their LTAs. For the tidal stations at Viet Nam’s Tan Chau and Chau Doc will likely fluctuate in between their LTAs and minimum values, 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 (May 17-23) |
Trend for next week
(May 24-30) |
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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