Managing Drought in the Mekong Region Amid Climate Change

This piece explores the challenges of managing water resources in the Mekong region, particularly in the face of climate change. It discusses how unpredictable rainfall patterns complicate water storage, distribution, and access. The article highlights the disproportionate impact of droughts on poor and marginalized communities and calls for a holistic approach to address these issues.

The Mekong region is grappling with the challenges of water management amid increasingly unpredictable rainfall and intensified dry seasons, both exacerbated by climate change. York's experts, Jutamas Kaewsuk from Mahidol University and Pakamas Thinphanga of Khon Kaen University, emphasize the critical role of water collection, storage, and distribution.

Research indicates that traditional water management infrastructures, like large-scale reservoirs built in previous decades, are less effective under current climate conditions. This misalignment results in uneven water distribution, exacerbating economic hardships, particularly among rice farmers, and creating new vulnerabilities for the poor and marginalized communities.

The issues extend beyond mere availability of water to its quality, with significant pollution from agricultural, industrial, and domestic sources. The limited monitoring and enforcement capabilities complicate the effective management of water quality, calling for more sophisticated technology and governance reforms.

(With inputs from agencies.)