Water from the Nam Songkhram River, a vital tributary of the mighty Mekong, overstepped its boundaries and inundated about 5,000 rai of paddy fields in Sri Songkhram district of Nakhon Phanom province on Wednesday. (Photo: Pattanapong Sripiachai)
Speculation had been circulating that the Jinghong Dam in Yunnan, China, might’ve played a significant role in causing the overflow that wreaked havoc in Thailand’s northern and northeastern regions. However, China swiftly debunked these theories. In a statement from its Bangkok embassy, China firmly asserted that their dam had not been up to anything fishy, emphasizing that no water had been released recently from the reservoir.
The embassy took a proactive approach by consulting with various state agencies, which confirmed that Chinese rivers were behaving as expected for this time of the year. From August 18 to 25, reservoirs attached to the Lancang River—the name for the Mekong in China—were actually holding back their water, rather than letting it gush downstream.
In fact, they reported that the average daily outflow at the Jinghong Dam had dipped by 60% compared to August of the previous year. So in essence, the dam had been playing it cool and not releasing a drop of excess water.
Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was busy making waves with his comments on a recent visit to flood-stricken Chiang Rai. He suggested that China’s metaphorical faucets had been left open, potentially contributing to the unusual rise in Mekong water levels, since China was also dealing with its own flood crisis.
He mentioned ongoing negotiations between Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese government to find a more flood-friendly water release strategy. However, it’s unclear if the embassy’s statement was a direct clap back at Thaksin’s remarks.
The embassy’s message expressed genuine concern, emphasizing the interconnectedness of the countries within the Mekong River Basin. “The six countries in the Lancang (Mekong) River Basin are a community of a shared future connected by mountains and rivers,” it declared on its Facebook page.
It further assured that China is ready to enhance cooperation and share information about water resources, stressing a united front to tackle climate change and flood challenges. Clearly, China aimed to smooth any ruffled feathers and promote collective water management strategies.
On a more local note, as of Wednesday, the water level in the Mekong at Nakhon Phanom had climbed to approximately 10.4 meters, just 1.6 meters short of the overflow point, with a deluge of water rolling in from the North.
Provincial officials responded swiftly, giving a heads-up to local authorities in Muang, Ban Phaeng, Tha Uthen, and That Phanom districts. They were advised to set up large water pumps and prepare for any potential overflow. Local residents were also urged to keep a vigilant eye on weather reports as the situation developed.
For further context, ongoing floods have exacted a toll on the tourism sector, with losses inching close to a staggering B500 million. Clearly, the floodwaters have washed away not just crops but also a significant slice of the region’s economic well-being.
So, basically China is saying ‘Not our problem?’ I don’t buy it.
Well, if there is no evidence that the dam released water, what else can they say? Blaming them without proof isn’t helpful.
But isn’t it suspicious timing? Maybe they’re not telling the full story.
China often gets scapegoated for regional issues. The reality might be more complex than a simple blame game.
Exactly! If the embassies and local agencies have confirmed the reservoir wasn’t the culprit, then blaming China feels like a convenient distraction.
Flooding is becoming more common everywhere due to climate change. Maybe it’s time to rethink how we manage water resources globally.
Definitely. Too many politicians just sit around blaming other countries instead of coming up with sustainable solutions.
Exactly. Regional cooperation and long-term planning should be the priority. The Mekong countries should work together more.
Agreed. But some countries prioritize profit over sustainable practices, which complicates collaborative efforts.
But how do you get everyone on the same page when each country has its own interests?
Thaksin’s comments are stirring the pot unnecessarily. We need facts, not political drama.
Agree. Politicians always play blame games, and the common people suffer as a result.
Exactly. Focus on relief efforts and long-term solutions instead of mudslinging.
Easy to say, but Thaksin has a point. If China’s actions impact us, we have the right to call them out.
Politics sucks. At the end of the day, what’s needed are quick, efficient, on-ground measures to prevent disaster.
I live near the Mekong and it’s terrifying how much the water level has risen. We need immediate action.
Stay safe, Linda! I hope the local authorities do their best to protect everyone.
Thanks, Peter. We’re doing our best, but preparedness can only do so much. We need more regional support.
If China says they didn’t do it, who can we trust? Everyone is just pointing fingers.
Sometimes, there isn’t a clear villain. Environmental disasters can have multiple causes.
I don’t trust Thaksin. He always has hidden agendas.
It’s true that he has his own motives, but we need to evaluate every claim on its merit.
How are the farmers going to recover from this? 5,000 rai of paddy fields is massive!
It’s devastating. Local authorities should focus on relief for farmers immediately.
As a farmer myself, it’s a long road to recovery. We need both financial and technical support.
With tourism taking a hit, it’s not just about the farmers. The entire local economy is at risk.
So true. I was planning a trip, but now I’m reconsidering. Tourism dollars are going to dry up.
Enough blame. Let’s focus on what we can do to improve flood defenses and emergency response systems.
Exactly. Modernizing infrastructure and better planning will help mitigate these disasters in the future.
It’s pretty clear this isn’t just China’s fault. Everyone needs to take responsibility for climate action.
Climate change is partially to blame, but that doesn’t make it any easier for those affected right now.
Absolutely, Jenny. Collective action is needed, not just finger-pointing.
If we don’t act now, floods like this will become the new normal. It’s terrifying.
Agree. Climate change is accelerating, and our response times need to quicken as well.
Seems like it’ll take more disasters to wake everyone up.
Being from China, I can say that the relationship between our countries over the Mekong has always been complex. Simplifying it to ‘blame China’ isn’t helpful.
Why was there no earlier warning? 10.4 meters is dangerously high!
Many local governments are underfunded and ill-equipped to deal with sudden crises like this.
Everyone’s talking about international co-operation, but will it actually happen? Too much red tape.
This will impact not just Thailand but other Mekong countries. We should pool resources for a regional disaster fund.
Don’t forget the environmental impact beyond just human concerns. The ecosystem is suffering, too.