China and the countries of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) have arranged to build on their existing relations by renewing an agreement to share data on flood season water flows in the Lancang-Mekong River. The agreement on provision of hydrological information was signed in the Lao capital of Vientiane on 29 August 2008 by the Ministry of Water Resources of the People’s Republic of China and the MRC. The signing occurred during the Thirteenth Dialogue Meeting between the MRC and its Dialogue Partners, China and Myanmar.
Known as the Lancang in China, the Lancang-Mekong River runs through China, Myanmar, the Lao PDR, Thailand, Cambodia and Viet Nam. Natural flooding events during the monsoon season follow different patterns each year, meaning that accurate data on rainfall and water flows throughout the river basin are needed so that timely flood warnings can be delivered to people in areas likely to be affected.
As a Dialogue Partner of the MRC, China has since 2002 provided the MRC Secretariat with daily water level and rainfall data from two Lancang River hydrological stations at Yunjinghong and Man’an during the flood season from 15 June-15 October each year.
This information has improved the quality of flood forecasting for the Mekong River and played a significant role in reducing losses caused by floods in the MRC member countries of Cambodia, the Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam. All four MRC Member States and the Secretariat expressed their appreciation of China’s cooperation on this matter. It was recognised that the data supplied during the recent flooding in the Lao PDR and Thailand made an important contribution to preparations for emergency and relief work in the affected countries.
