Retention of water by dams in upstream areas of the Mekong River also is seen as contributing to record-low water levels in the river, affecting the region’s ecology. Somkiat Prajumwong, director-general of Thailand’s Office of National Water Resources, said the river will experience record-low levels, after already recording new records this past year. Restrictions on water use from some Thai dams were imposed by late December, according to a report in the Bangkok Post newspaper. The Mekong River Commission already warned that severe to extreme drought was expected to hit Thailand and Cambodia at least until January. Environmental activists have expressed urgent concern about the upstream dams.

Source: thestar December 30, 2019 12:11 UTC