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Prolonged and Severe Drought in the Most Dammed Tributaries of the Lower Mekong Basin

Author

Listed:
  • Kimsan Chann

    (Faculty of Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering, Institute of Technology of Cambodia, Russian Federation Blvd., Phnom Penh 12156, Cambodia
    Wonders of Mekong Project, c/o IFReDI, Fisheries Administration, No. 186, Preah Norodom Blvd., Khan Chamkar Morn, Phnom Penh 12300, Cambodia)

  • Ty Sok

    (Faculty of Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering, Institute of Technology of Cambodia, Russian Federation Blvd., Phnom Penh 12156, Cambodia
    Research and Innovation Center, Institute of Technology of Cambodia, Russian Federation Blvd., Phnom Penh 12156, Cambodia)

  • Romduol Khoeun

    (Faculty of Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering, Institute of Technology of Cambodia, Russian Federation Blvd., Phnom Penh 12156, Cambodia
    Wonders of Mekong Project, c/o IFReDI, Fisheries Administration, No. 186, Preah Norodom Blvd., Khan Chamkar Morn, Phnom Penh 12300, Cambodia)

  • Vuthy Men

    (Faculty of Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering, Institute of Technology of Cambodia, Russian Federation Blvd., Phnom Penh 12156, Cambodia
    River Department, River & Water Resources Division, Nippon Koei Co., Ltd., 5-4, Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8539, Japan)

  • Supattra Visessri

    (Department of Water Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
    Disaster and Risk Management Information Systems Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand)

  • Chantha Oeurng

    (Faculty of Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering, Institute of Technology of Cambodia, Russian Federation Blvd., Phnom Penh 12156, Cambodia)

  • Ratha Sor

    (Wonders of Mekong Project, c/o IFReDI, Fisheries Administration, No. 186, Preah Norodom Blvd., Khan Chamkar Morn, Phnom Penh 12300, Cambodia
    Graduate School, National University of Cheasim Kamchaymear, No. 157, Preah Norodom Blvd., Khan Chamkarmon, Phnom Penh 12300, Cambodia
    Department of Watershed Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA)

  • Sarah E. Null

    (Wonders of Mekong Project, c/o IFReDI, Fisheries Administration, No. 186, Preah Norodom Blvd., Khan Chamkar Morn, Phnom Penh 12300, Cambodia
    Department of Watershed Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA)

Abstract

Drought is a natural hazard that stresses ecosystems, agricultural production, food security, and local economies. Given ongoing hydropower dam development in the Sesan and Srepok Basins, the two most dammed tributaries in the Lower Mekong Basin, characterizing baseline drought events and understanding how dams modify downstream flow is needed to manage water resources and mitigate drought effects. We used the Soil & Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to estimate streamflow data from 2001 to 2019. For both rivers, we found that runoff varied, but contributed about 75% of streamflow, followed by shallow and deep groundwater, which contributed up to 25%. We used the Standardized Runoff Index to characterize drought and detected frequent, severe, and prolonged drought events in the two basins. Severe and prolonged droughts in the 2009–2011 and 2015–2016 periods corresponded to the occurrence of Typhoon Ketsana and the El Niño-Southern Oscillation. Streamflow alteration can be caused by climatic conditions and anthropogenic activities such as hydropower dam development and operations (e.g., the timing and magnitude of water releases). Results from this study can be used as a baseline to gauge potential future droughts and design appropriate drought management plans to preserve ecosystems and food security in the Lower Mekong Basin and its tributaries.

Suggested Citation

  • Kimsan Chann & Ty Sok & Romduol Khoeun & Vuthy Men & Supattra Visessri & Chantha Oeurng & Ratha Sor & Sarah E. Null, 2022. "Prolonged and Severe Drought in the Most Dammed Tributaries of the Lower Mekong Basin," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:23:p:16254-:d:994595
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