Low water levels in Mekong, tributaries affect fish farming

Low water levels in Mekong, tributaries affect fish farming

Fish farming in baskets in the Nam Songkhram stream, a tributary of the Mekong river in Nakhon Phanom.(Photo: Pattanapong Sripiachai)
Fish farming in baskets in the Nam Songkhram stream, a tributary of the Mekong river in Nakhon Phanom.(Photo: Pattanapong Sripiachai)

NAKHON PHANOM: Water levels in the Mekong river and its tributaries in this northeastern border province are very low compared to past years, jeopardising the livelihoods of farmers who raise fish in baskets, according to local media reports.

In Muang district, water in the Mekong river is now only about 5 metres high -- 8 metres below the spill-over level of 13 metres. It is the lower than in any September over the past five years.

The four main tributaries of the Mekong  Nam Oun, Nam Songkhram and Nam Kam streams -- now hold only 20-30% of their capacities.

Local officials of the Royal Irrigation Department said plans are being drawn up to retain water in natural reservoirs and irrigation systems -- for emergency use in future water shortages -- before it flows into the Mekong river.

The low levels of water in the tributaries have affected farmers raising fish in baskets, especially in the Nam Oun and Nam Songkhram streams.

Thanee Wandee, 44, a fish raiser in the Nam Songkham stream in Tha Uthen district, said fish farmers are at risk as the frequent changes of the water's oxygen content and other conditions can easily cause fish in baskets to die.


Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (7)

Calls for bids on Chatuchot-Lam Luk Ka expressway expected in May

Bids for the construction of the 16.21-kilometre Chatuchot - Lam Luk Ka extension of the Chalongrach expressway are expected to be called for in May, Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat) deputy governor Chatri Tansiri said.

13:53

Thick smog only in upper North

Hazardous levels of PM2.5 remained only in the upper North at noon on Sunday, with the worst air pollution in Chiang Dao district of Chiang Mai province.

12:39

Philippine leader cheers European move as 50,000 seafarers' jobs protected

MANILA: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Sunday welcomed the European Commission's (EC) decision to continue recognising certificates issued by his country for Filipino seafarers, saying it averted job losses for roughly 50,000 sailors.

12:27