CCTV9英语新闻：China releases water for drought-hit Mekong states

The Mekong River Commission says China has, for the first time, formally informed nations along the Mekong River of its water management plans. Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam were informed through the commission of China's plan to release massive amounts of fresh water from the Jinghong dam into the Mekong, to alleviate drought that is afflicting much of the region. But while that may bring some short term relief, farmers along the banks of the river fear the drought may have a longer impact.

 

It's the artery that carries the life blood of mainland southeast Asia. The mighty Mekong river, supporting the livelihoods of more than sixty million people. But today the river is still and lifeless.

 

Drought has drained the water to some of the lowest levels on record, and threatens those who live along its banks. Laos is one of the poorest countries in the region.

 

Eighty percent of the population work on the land, most growing rice. But with no water, there’s no crop and this is the worst drought in ninety years.

 

Lhao Luang Kod is fifty seven years old and works this land alone. She used to get two rice crops a year, now she's down to one and if the rains don’t come soon, there won’t be anything at all.

 

"There isn’t enough water here. I want them to build a water gate so there’s enough to grow enough rice to eat. I can’t even grow vegetables now," said Bite Lhao Luang Kod, a rice farmer.

 

On the opposite bank of the river in Thailand the situation is the same. Where there should be lush green rice paddies…a dry dusty wasteland. Farmers here say they’re getting by. Last year they managed to eke out one rice harvest, but if the rainy season doesn’t start in July, life will be very hard.

 

With that in mind, the Thai government started an emergency project last week, pumping huge amounts of water out of the Mekong, into their own rivers. But that is only a temporary fix. And some Thai scientists feel the kingdom is locked in a never ending cycle of drought and flood.

 

"Water management is a very big problem, because we only look at water supply. We try to store water by building small dams, and when floods come, those dams become obstacles," said Santiparp Siriwattanaphaiboom, from Faculty of Environmental Science, Rajchaphak University.

 

Waters released in China will bring temporary relief when they hit this stretch of the Mekong in the next few days. But with the changing weather patterns of El Nino, and the longer term impact of climate change, the river may no longer be the force it once was.