Facebook joins flood, drought alert efforts on Mekong River

Facebook and the Mekong River Commission (MRC) launched a collaboration initiative Monday to provide early flood alert and drought monitoring information to Mekong nations.

The MRC stated it has installed 22 hydrological stations along the main channel in the lower Mekong River basin to monitor and collect river water level and rainfall data, which feeds into its Mekong Flood and Drought Forecasting System.

The system provides the public and riparian governments with daily river water level data, including flood alerts and drought forecasting throughout the year. The system will be explained through a 3D animated video, which will be shared on Facebook to reach communities across the region.

Facebook will also train officials from the four MRC member countries Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam on how to use different digital tools to communicate effectively and quickly during and after a disaster, according to an MRC statement.

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Nguyen Quy