Hydrology and water resources

The drought-stricken Kwan Phayao Lake in Phayao province in northern Thailand in May 2023. (Photo: bangkokpost.com) Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’s Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) has said drought, floods and other extreme weather exacerbated by climate change could cause damage worth 36 billion THB (1 billion USD) to the Thai economy this year. Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), a key member of the JSCCIB, stressed that water scarcity caused by drought is the committee's leading concern because it could have a massive impact on both the agricultural and manufacturing sectors, hampering already sluggish exports. According to the Commerce Ministry's latest data, in the first four months of 2023 Thai exports decreased by 5.2% year-on-year to 92 billion USD, while imports fell by 2.2% to 96.5 billion USD, resulting in a trade deficit of 4.51 billion USD. drought , hoping to work with the … [Read more...] about Thailand forecasts huge losses caused by climate change

Sweltering temperatures have hit various northern parts of Vietnam, leaving water in the Son La hydropower reservoir, the largest of its kind in the country, reaching critically low levels and thereby putting stress on power generation and supply as well as the livelihoods of local people. Over the past few days, during which the northwestern region saw temperatures nearly reach 40 degrees Celsius, the Son La and Lai Chau hydropower plants, located in the namesake provinces, respectively, were almost inactive. The record-low water levels of a downstream area of the Son La hydropower reservoir, the largest of its kind in Vietnam. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre Mai Duc Tiep, who is in charge of the Son La hydropower plant’s operations team, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) news that the water levels in the dam hit record low in 13 years, below the dead-pool level of 175 meters. Six turbines at the plant, which had been operational during the previous extreme hot days, have … [Read more...] about Prolonged drought takes heavy toll on Vietnam’s largest hydropower reservoir

Themed “Kien Giang provincial armed forces together with the party organization, authorities, and people of Hon Dat district build new-style rural area,” the program will take place from June 2023 to January 2024. As planned, the program will facilitate the construction of 115 houses for needy households and seven rural bridges; present gifts to policy beneficiaries, poor and near-poor families; provide health examination, medicines, and consultation for locals. The organizing panel will present scholarships to needy students with good academic results; build electricity systems in rural areas; carry out environment projects; and hold artistic and sporting events and competitions. Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Chairman of the Kien Giang provincial People’s Committee and head of the steering committee Nguyen Luu Trung evaluated that this mass mobilization model bears profound socio-political and humane significance, embodying the tradition of "When drinking water, remember its … [Read more...] about Kien Giang kick-starts military-civilian program in 2024