The river level receded to 2.59m on Monday from 3m on Jan 1
CHIANG RAI – The Regional Harbour Commission in Chiang Saen, is investigating a drop in the Mekong River’s depth, which has become so shallow that many barges are forced to dock at local piers.
Songklod Duanghaklang, director of the Regional Harbour Commission office in Chiang Rai, said the water level has fallen dramatically.
Songklod Duanghaklang reported that the office has sought answers from the Joint Committee on Coordination of Commercial Navigation on the Lancang-Mekong River, a panel represented by countries using the Mekong River for freight and passenger transport.
A vessel heading from Chiang Rai to Myanmar, hit an underwater rock
A Myanmar-registered boat carrying frozen chickens sank in the Sob Yong area of the river, about 10km from central Chiang Rai on Jan 1st.
Reports said the vessel, which was heading from Chiang Rai to Myanmar, hit an underwater rock. One crew member fell overboard and went missing in the water.
Authorities said it has not been formally confirmed if the accident was linked to the river becoming shallow. Damage is estimated at 20 million baht.
Since the sinking on Jan 1st, many freight ships have remained docked as they wait to hear news about the river level. They are reluctant to set off fearing damage to their vessels if the water level keeps dropping.
The shallow water has exposed a vast stretch of sand bar opposite Ton Pueng in the town of Bo Kaew, Laos.
Pagaimas Viera, owner of Mekong Delta Travel Agency, which runs Mekong River cruises, said the Chinese harbour authorities in Guan Loei have issued an advisory urging boats to exercise caution.
She said the authorities told her the upstream Jinghong dam in southern China decreased its water discharges three days ago.
Ms Pagaimas said most freight barges have been carrying less cargo to sit higher in the water.