Asia |


Right: Floating solar had a role to play in boosting Asian renewable power generation


River monitoring


Below: Low water levels on the Mekong River. Climate change and development pressures


At the end of last year, the Mekong River Commission (MRC) inaugurated one of its latest core river monitoring stations in Champassak Province, Lao PDR. Located downstream of Pakse City, this new station is one of 11 modern integrated stations that are helping to improve the sustainable management of the Mekong River. Core river monitoring is described as being essential to track hydrology, sediment, water quality, fishery health, and the overall ecology of the Lower Mekong Basin. It’s being undertaken by the MRC - the intergovernmental organisation established in 1995 by Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam to boost regional dialogue, serving as a cooperative regional platform for water diplomacy and a knowledge hub to manage water resources and support sustainable development of the region. “During the recent rainy season, Laos faced impacts from tropical storms, particularly Typhoon Yagi, causing widespread flooding. However, the meteorological and hydrological stations within the MRC core river monitoring network, and other stations, played a key role in providing timely and scientific information for early warning and flood preparedness at flood risk areas,” Chanthanet Boualapha, Vice president of Natural Resources and Envionrment of Lao PDR emphasised.


Over the past decade, monitoring efforts under the MRC have matured into an integrated core network, thanks to support from its member countries and development partners. For the latest expansion, France, Japan, Germany, and the UK made specific contributions in terms of equipment and upgrades With 62 meteorological and hydrological stations


across the Lower Mekong Basin, the network now provides real-time data every 15 minutes. This includes water levels, rainfall, and quality indicators, transmitted to the MRC Secretariat and national agencies. Laos alone operates 22 of these stations, with five newly established in 2024, and hosts 13 of the 45 automatic water quality monitoring stations. Equally important, the new monitoring stations will significantly enhance


14 | April 2025 | www.waterpowermagazine.com


the MRC’s ability to deliver timely, evidence-based insights into the Mekong’s conditions, especially climate changes and any impacts of dam operation. The commission is continuing to work hard to


address the growing challenges facing the Mekong River Basin, and re-commit to regional cooperation. Amid the increasing pressures of climate change, development, and transboundary impacts, it stresses the urgency of continued collaboration to ensure a sustainable future for Southeast Asia’s largest waterway. Bounkham Vorachit, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Lao PDR and Chairperson of the MRC Council for 2024, urged members to unite in its efforts to safeguard the river that sustains the livelihoods of millions. In recent years, MRC has solidified its role as a key knowledge hub and elevated regional cooperation, achieving milestones such as: An agreement on application of the transboundary EIA Guidelines. Expansion of the Core River Monitoring Network and enhancing forecasting.


Establishment of several joint cooperation mechanisms with China and ASEAN. The historic agreement on real-time dam operational data sharing among the Mekong countries.


Its development partners praised MRC’s progress in 2024, especially in data sharing, emergency response coordination, international partnership and stakeholder engagement. In their joint statement, they underscored the importance of continued transparency and cooperation in managing the basin’s water resources and addressing the impacts of climate change. “Climate change and development pressures are straining the basin’s ecosystem. The MRC plays an increasingly critical role in promoting and coordinating sustainable management and development of water and related resources for the countries’ mutual benefit and the people’s well-being,” said Christina Laun, Head of Division, Germany’s BMZ, representing the Development Partners.


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