Hydropower dams

Unseasonal drought, floods and the negative impact of hydropower projects on the Mekong River’s ecology were major concerns raised by residents of northeastern provinces at a public hearing on the Luang Prabang Dam on Tuesday.Pradap Klatkhemphet, deputy secretary-general of the Office of the National Water ...

The hydro-electric power plant planned in Luang Prabang will not have any big transboundary impact on Thailand, said the head of Laos’ Department of Energy Policy and Planning, who argued that with Thailand’s support, the project stands to benefit everyone.Department chief Chansaveng Buongnong said hydro-electric ...

Eight provinces along the Mekong River have been told to brace themselves for a dip in water levels between Jan 1-4 as tests at Jinghong hydroelectric power station in China’s Yunnan province are expected decrease of water outflows.According to the Office of National Water Resources ...

Just over a week ago, many people in Thailand, particularly those in highrises, were thrown into panic when their buildings were swaying. They didn’t know at the time that a strong earthquake had just hit inside Lao borders near Nan’s district of Chaloem Phrakiat.The shallow ...

The first hydropower dam on the lower Mekong River began commercial operations in Laos on Tuesday amid protests from Thai villagers who say the Xayaburi Dam and several others in the works will destroy their livelihoods.The 1,285-megawatt Xayaburi Dam’s debut coincides with parts of the ...

Almost a decade ago, Vietnam was the most vocal neighbour in opposing Laos’ first dam on the Mekong River. Now, it has become a partner in the Lao government’s Luang Prabang dam project — its fifth on the mighty river. This new partnership is worrying, ...

The Mekong River is a lifeline to many communities in Southeast Asia. But an ongoing drought and dozens of hydroelectric power plants are lowering water levels and damaging a fragile ecosystem.The Mekong River, a critical waterway for six countries in Southeast Asia, is registering critically ...

The Department of Fisheries will roll out a number of measures to help cushion the impacts of dam construction in the upper reaches of the Mekong River on Thai fishermen.Department chief, Adisorn Promthep, said the measures will entail further diplomatic coordination with Laos — which ...

Major dam construction projects have become a favourite pastime of some autocratic governments, with China leading the way. But, far from protecting against water shortages, as supporters promise, large dams are contributing to river depletion and severely exacerbating parched conditions. Nowhere is this more apparent ...

The unseasonal drought currently affecting the lower Mekong Region has alerted both the public and the authorities to the activities of a series of dams further upstream on the international river.Jinghong Dam in China and Xayaburi Dam in Laos are both being blamed for the ...