Analysis of extreme weather events and climate variability in the Lower Mekong Basin

The Government of Japan, through its ODA, supported the MRC from 2021 to 2024 to strengthen the MRC RFDMC institutional and technical capacity under the project entitled “Flood and Drought Management in the Mekong” that focuses on enhancing flood and drought monitoring, forecasting systems, and improving the dissemination of warnings and alerts. This report, one of the products of the project, addresses extreme weather events like heatwaves, cyclones, heavy rainfall, and droughts, which frequently result in economic losses, fatalities, and environmental damage in the LMB. It highlights the need to understand short-term weather conditions and long-term climate changes for more accurate forecasting. In-depth studies of historical weather and climate data could contribute to better planning, adaptation, and the improvement of forecasting models, which are essential for managing future weather risks at both national and regional levels.