Water in Mekong River approaches crisis level

Today, the water level in the Mekong River, as it flows through Nakhon Phanom province, rose by another 5cm, reaching a depth of 11.87m, which is very close to the crisis depth of 12m.

Flooding in the province could be exacerbated by a storm, expected this weekend and people in the Mueang district have started moving their belongings to higher ground, building flood barriers and are monitoring the water level closely.

Some areas along the river in the province have already seen flooding due to the rising the water level.

Meanwhile, flooding in other provinces in the north-eastern region, including Nong Khai and Bueng Kan, have improved as the floodwaters recede.

In Nong Khai, it has been almost a week since the heaviest flooding occurred, particularly along Prachak Silpakhom Road. Now, the roads along the Mekong River are dry but muddy.

Barriers, erected by the Nong Khai municipality, are being kept in place ahead of the upcoming storm’s arrival.

In Bueng Kan, water levels have also decreased.

Close monitoring is still needed, though, as the floodwaters from Nong Khai might drain into the Mekong River and pass through Phon Phisai district. Additionally, there is a forecast of a tropical depression in the next few days.

In the Ho Kham sub-district of Mueang district in Bueng Kan province, overflows from the Mekong River have flooded low-lying areas for over a week. Rescue efforts by Nong Khai’s Mekong Riverine Unit have provided survival kits and drinking water to the villagers affected by the floods.