Phnom Penh: A joint study of changing hydrological conditions across the Mekong River Basin has been approved by the Mekong River Commission (MRC) and Dialogue Partners China and Myanmar. The study will be carried out with the Beijing-based Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Centre, part of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation. Agreement was reached during a virtual meeting of MRC members and dialogue partners on Friday of last week.

The research will be launched in December with the participation of all six Mekong countries, as well as China and Myanmar in the Upper Basin, with MRC members Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam in the Lower Basin. It will be carried out until 2024.The MRC says the first phase in 2022 "is forseen to produce immediate recommendations for actions,” while the phases in 2023 and 2024 will be coordinated with the MRC’s Strategic Plan for 2021 to 2025. The project has been brought on by the Mekong River basin’s increasing propensity for floods and droughts which have been attributed to adverse changes in climate and water infrastructure.

The study proposes different measures for the six Mekong countries to address flood and drought risks and water level fluctuations. Measures would include better information sharing and coordination of water infrastructure.