Environment and natural resources
Overall Mekong River flow patterns do not change: report finding
Two hydropower projects along Southeast Asia’s most important river have had measurable, but moderate, impact on water flow, sediment and fisheries, according to preliminary findings of a report by the Mekong River Commission (MRC) released last week.With roughly one year of monitoring data, the MRC ...
Overflow alert issued for Mekong communities
Xayaboury province is advising people living alongside the Mekong River to prepare for possible flooding, while neighbouring Thailand has warned its seven north-eastern provinces to brace for sudden overflows along the river until Thursday. The Lao province issued the alert following heavy rainfall in recent ...
Times Reporters
Thousands affected by floods in the north
Thousands of people in northern areas of Laos are suffering after rivers flooded following several days of heavy rain. Xayaboury, Huaphan and parts of Luang Prabang and Vientiane provinces have been the hardest hit, with at least 10 districts affected. In some areas, roads have ...
Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth
Nam Theun 1 Hydropower Board confirmed that the leakage of the dam does not affect the dam and is still 100% safe.
Recently, the society is paying attention to the Nam Theun 1 hydroelectric dam and there is concern about the subsequent problems regarding the various dam breaks because there is news that people have found that Nam Theun 1 dam has seeped water. In response to ...
Mekong dams must release less water in dry season to preserve habitats, experts say
Abnormally high-water levels in the Mekong River at the end of May indicate that dams on the river must release less water during the dry season to protect the ecosystem, experts said at an online panel Monday. Rain levels during the dry season this year have ...
Eugene Whong
Laos to Restrict Development on Agricultural Land
Laos currently has 4.5 million hectares of agricultural land, with 2 million hectares dedicated to rice farming and the rest to crop and animal farming.The ministry is implementing land allocation and demarcation projects for protected areas in response to small, medium, and large investments in ...
Manyphone Vongphachanh
A Splash of Good News for Mekong River Communities
The first four months of 2022 were some of the wettest in several years, the result of increased rainfall and China releasing more water from its upstream dams, according to monitoring data of the Mekong River Commission (MRC).These two factors combine to unleash greater flows ...
Laotian Times
Lao Officials Promote Environmental Protection at Mining Projects
During a recent cabinet meeting, the government said it encouraged mining exploration by licensed mining companies to promote excavation and revenue derived from mineral exports. From 2021 to 2025, Laos is expected to produce mineral products valued at USD 7.832 billion, increasing by four percent from ...
Latsamy Phonevilay
Cassava Farmers Encroach Upon Dong Hua Sao National Park
According to images released on social media by a local resident, hundreds of trees in the Dong Hua Sao National Bio-Diversity Conservation Area have been cut down in preparation for cassava plantations. The Dong Hua Sao National Protected Area is located about 30 kilometers east of Pakse ...
Manyphone Vongphachanh
Fifth Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge over 30 percent complete
Construction of the fifth Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge linking Borikhamxay province to Bueng Kan province in Thailand across the Mekong River is now 32 percent complete. The project consists of two components: the first concerns the construction of the bridge across the Mekong River and the ...
Times Reporters