China Agrees To Release Information On Dams

BANGKOK, April 26 (TNA) - Visiting Chinese Vice Minister for Water Resources Jiao Yong has accepted a Thai request to share information on water management at Chinese dams located in upstream areas of the Mekong River so that Thailand can be prepared to cope with the situation in its downstream areas, namely flooding and drought. The issue was discussed when the Chinese vice minister visited the Thai Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Wednesday. Thai Natural Resources and Environment Minister Preecha Rengsomboonsuk told reporters that he had asked China to reveal information on water management at its dams in the Mekong River, as it has had impacts on countries located downstream along the same river. Preecha said the Chinese vice minister initially accepted the proposal and told Thailand to send a written request for the information, which covers reserved water and discharge rates at all the Chinese dams. According to the Thai minister, the information will allow countries located downstream areas to forecast the updated situation of the Mekong River. Preecha acknowledged that Thailand would like to learn about China’s knowledge and expertise on flood relief; so, Thai authorities would apply the knowledge if any severe inundation recurred in the country, following a massive flooding late last year. (TNA)