Dam testing in China to affect eight Mekong River provinces
Eight provinces along the Mekong River have been told to brace themselves for a dip in water levels between Jan 1-4 as tests at Jinghong hydroelectric power station in China’s Yunnan province are expected decrease of water outflows.
According to the Office of National Water Resources (ONWR), Chiang Rai, Loei, Nakhon Phanom, Nong Khai, Mukdahan, Bung Kan, Amnat Charoen and Ubon Ratchathani will see water levels drop along the Mekong when testing at Jinghong dam begins.
Based on a notification sent by China’s Ministry of Water Resources, the tests will see water outflows from the dam reduced from 1,200-1,400 cubic metres per second (m³/s) to between 800-1,000m³/s from Jan 1-3, the ONWR said.
