Water levels in the Mekong River are expected to continue rising until April 29, after the Jinghong Dam in China’s Yunnan province increased the rate at which it releases water. Thai officials have meanwhile followed up on progress at the Sanakham hydro power plant project, located on the Mekong. Upon completion, the plant will produce 684 megawatts of electricity for nearby provinces in Thailand and Laos.
The first meeting of the Thai National Mekong Committee (TNMC) in 2022 was held on Friday (22 Apr), with discussions centering on river hydropower projects. The meeting was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, who said the TNMC discussed how to proceed under the Procedures for Notification, Prior Consultation, and Agreement (PNPCA) process. PNPCA is a process for stakeholders to discuss and review water-use projects for the Mekong River. Gen Prawit indicated that the committee also hopes to maximize Thailand’s gains from the Sanakham hydropower project.
The TNMC meeting endorsed the pursuit of adequate information about the transboundary impact from Laos or the Mekong River Commission Secretariat. The committee also sought information on how downstream communities and border demarcations would be affected, with the information obtained to be used in the public participation process.
Additionally, the meeting discussed a proposed start to the PNPCA process by Laos for the Phou Ngoy Dam Hydropower project. The Office of the National Water Resources was assigned to review the details, especially on matters relating to the potential impact on Thailand.
The National Water Command has meanwhile issued a warning about rising water levels in the Mekong River caused by rainfall and the increased rate of water released from the Jinghong Dam. Residents in eight provinces along the Mekong River are urged to closely follow up on the water situation from April 22-29. (NNT)
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