Fill - Free fillable Flood Management and Mitigation Programme PDF form

Working Paper:

Transboundary

Flood Issue

Identiﬁ cation

January 2008

Flood Management and

Mitigation Programme

Back to Conent

Exit

The MRC Flood Management and Mitigation Programme

Component 3: Enhancing Cooperation in Addressing

Transboundary Flood Issues

---------------------------

Transboundary Flood Issue Identification

Working Paper

January 2008

This document has been accepted as Working Paper for reference by representatives of the MRC

Member States during the Regional Consultation Meeting, held in HCMC, Vietnam, on 23

September 2007

Mekong River Commission

For Sustainable Developement

Exit

Back to Conent

Exit

Back to Conent

iii

Table of Contents

Abbreviations and AcronymsU.......................................................................................................v

Executive Summary

U ....................................................................................................................vii

U UIntroductionU .........................................................................................................................1

U UApproach and methodologyU................................................................................................2

U UResults of regional synthesis and compilation processU .....................................................4

3.1

U USynthesis of national perspectives on transboundary flood issuesU ........................................4

3.1.1

U UGeneralU ......................................................................................................................4

3.1.2

U UNationally-perceived transboundary flood issuesU .....................................................4

3.1.3

U UNational frameworks for disaster management and regional cooperation on

flood management

U .....................................................................................................5

3.1.4

U UNational constraints to addressing transboundary flood issuesU .................................6

3.2

U UAn agreed working definition of transboundary flood issuesU................................................7

3.3

U USynthesis of regional perspectives on transboundary flood issuesU ........................................8

3.3.1

U UGroup 1. Issues related to Floodplain developments within the Mekong DeltaU .......8

3.3.2

U UGroup 2: Issues related to Impacts of LMB upstream developments on the

Mekong Delta

U ............................................................................................................9

3.3.3

U UGroup 3: Issues related to Impacts of upstream hydropower development in the

Upper Mekong Basin on the LMB

U ..........................................................................10

3.3.4

U UGroup 4. Issues related to Hydropower development and operation in the Se

San, Srepok, and Se Kong river basins

U ....................................................................10

3.3.5

U UGroup 5. Issues related to bank protection and port development; sand

excavation; dam-operation communications in upper reaches of the Mekong

mainstream

U...............................................................................................................11

3.3.6

U UGroup 6: Issues related to increased floods on tributaries in northwest CambodiaU 11

3.4 Approaches, support needs and opportunities to enhance cooperation

U .................................12

3.4.1

U UApproaches for addressing transboundary flood issuesU ..........................................13

3.4.2

U UBilateral cooperation support needsU ........................................................................14

3.4.3

U UMultilateral and regional cooperation support needs and opportunitiesU .................14

U UFollow-up activities and next steps proposedU ..................................................................16

UReferencesU ....................................................................................................................................17

Exit

Back to Conent

ANNEXES

UAnnex 1: A comparative analysis of National Flood Issue Study Reports .................................18

UAnnex 2: A compilation of transboundary flood issues as indicated in the National Flood

Issue Study Reports .....................................................................................................28

UAnnex 3: Preferred mechanisms; role and contributions of the MRCS as expressed at the 1st

regional meeting, June 22nd, 2007..............................................................................31

UAnnex 4: Summary information on nature, main effects and impact of transboundary flood

issues............................................................................................................................33

UAnnex 5: Floods in the Mekong..................................................................................................35

UAnnex 6: Validity check of transboundary flood issues .............................................................37

UAnnex 7: Opportunities for the MRC to make a useful contribution..........................................39U

Exit

Back to Conent

Abbreviations and Acronyms

ADB Asian Development Bank

AHNIP Appropriate Hydrological Network Improvement Project

AIFP Agriculture, Irrigation and Forestry Programme

ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations

BDP Basin Development Plan

CEO Chief Executive Officer

CSO Civil Society Organization

DMP Drought Management Programme

DSF Decision Support Framework

EIA Environmental Impact Assessment

EP Environment Programme

FAO Food and Agriculture Organization (UN)

FMMP Flood Management and Mitigation Programme

FP Fisheries Programme

GDP Gross Domestic Product

GIS Geographic Information System

GMS Greater Mekong Sub-region

IBFM Integrated Basin Flow Management

ICBP Integrated Capacity Building Programme

ICCS International Cooperation and Communication Section

IKMP Information and Knowledge Management Programme

IWRM Integrated Water Resource Management

JC Joint Committee

KRA Key Result Area

LMB Lower Mekong Basin

MDG Millennium Development Goals

MRC Mekong River Commission

MRCS Mekong River Commission Secretariat

MW Megawatts

MWRAS Mekong Water Resources Assistance Strategy

NAP Navigation Programme

NCDC National Civil Defense Committee (Thailand)

NCDM National Committee for Disaster Management (Cambodia, Lao

PDR)

NGO Non-Governmental Organization

NMC National Mekong Committee

RBO River Basin Organization

RGC Royal Government of Cambodia

SEA Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment

TBEIA Transboundary Environmental Impact Assessment

TOR Terms of Reference

UNDP United Nations Development Programme

WUP Water Utilisation Programme

Exit

Back to Conent

Exit

Back to Conent

vii

Exit

Back to Conent

viii

Exit

Back to Conent

Executive Summary

This report summarizes the results of regional consultations on transboundary flood issues in

the Lower Mekong Basin by Component 3 of the MRC Flood Management and Mitigation

Programme (FMMP). Consultations were hold to prepare for the successful implementation

of the component. During a regional workshop in October 2006, MRC members confirmed

their support for enhanced cooperation activities. They also agreed that transboundary flood

issues needed to be identified before developing the work plan and activities of the

component.

In response, the programme initiated a process to identify transboundary flood issues in 2006.

The activity followed a highly participatory bottom-up approach. The identification and

consultation process started first with provincial, national and then bilateral and regional

levels with full involvement of National Mekong Committees and national agencies.

The process defined working definition of transboundary flood issues as “any existing or

potential substantial adverse impact on the natural, economic or social environment within

an area of a Riparian State resulting from a change of the water conditions during the flood

season and/or during the occurrence of floods of the Mekong River system caused by a human

activity, originating wholly or in part from within one or more areas of one or more other

Riparian States

F”

Six broad groups of transboundary flood issues related to:

1. floodplain development within the Mekong Delta;

2. upstream development in the Lower Mekong Basin that has an impact on the Mekong

Delta;

3. upstream hydropower development in the Upper Mekong Basin;

4. hydropower project development and operation in the Se San, Srepok, and Se Kong

river basins;

5. bank protection and port development, sand excavation, dam-operation

communications in the upper reaches of the Mekong mainstream; and

6. increased flooding on tributaries in northwest Cambodia;

were mutually identified by the member countries based on the information provided in the

national reports and the agreed working definition of transboundary flood issues.

Using the working definition of transboundary flood issues, the validity of each group was

checked by identifying the main causes, effects and impacts. The issues require specific

response strategies and actions to be addressed by enhanced cooperation based on technical

and administrative priorities, capacities and support needs. Consultations with member States,

Use of this definition of Transboundary flood issues only applies in reference to the activities of component 3

identify, addressing and resolving differences or disputes among concerned parties of the MRB. In the broader

application of the term “transboundary flood issues” includes both natural and man-influenced flood.

Exit

Back to Conent

unanimously identified bilateral and multilateral arrangements as the preferred mechanisms.

Strategies should:

• build on existing bilateral mechanism supported or facilitated by the MRC Secretariat

in general and Component 3 in particular;

• share experiences and lessons learnt from bilateral mechanisms, expanding them to the

multilateral and regional level where appropriate; and

• strengthen multilateral mechanisms such as the Mekong dialogue partnership by

providing suitable tools and services from the MRC Secretariat (relating to Upper

Mekong Basin developments and global concerns associated with climate change).

It was strongly suggested that transboundary flood issues must be managed in a coordinated

manner, promoting inter-governmental and inter-agency cooperation while being based on

integrated water resource management (IWRM) principles. With the involvement of the MRC

Secretariat, the status of existing mechanisms will be raised and the technical profile and

capabilities of members strengthened.

Support strategies will include technical and administrative aspects that respond to the

specific needs of the main stakeholders and the contexts of member States. Important

opportunities for cooperation exist within MRC programmes and through regional technical

assistance being prepared by the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank with close

MRC involvement.

Ways to ensure the successful implementation of Component 3 will be finalized in a

document that is currently being revised.

Exit

Back to Conent

1 Introduction

In the aftermath of the devastating floods of 2000, the MRC Council charged the Secretariat

to develop a strategy and program to deal with the threat of future flood disasters in the

Mekong River basin. The MRC Strategy on Flood Management and Mitigation was

published in 2001 (FMM Strategy) and outlined the role the MRC could play in the

management of flood risk in the LMB (according to the mandate of the 1995 Agreement).

The FMM Strategy led to the joint formulation by MRC and the four member countries of the

Flood Management and Mitigation Program (FMMP). The FMMP has been approved by the

Council in 2002 then it has been further updated and finalized in 2004. Both the FMM

Strategy and the FMMP were formulated through a process of participation and consultation

between MRCS, NMCs, national line agencies and CSOs.

The FMMP is based on priorities agreed upon by the four member countries, and its five

components are closely interrelated. The Component 3 of FMMP is titled “Enhancing

Cooperation in Addressing Transboundary Flood Issues”. The component is conceived to

apply a range of approaches and mechanisms provided for under the 1995 Mekong

Agreement

Implementing the component’s activities aimed to build capacity to enhance cooperation in

addressing transboundary differences and disputes, increasing trust and confidence among

member States. The activities involve:

1. providing information and knowledge on “best” practices from both the international

as well as the regional context;

2. building capacity and skills for actors and decision makers from relevant National

Mekong Committees and line agencies to address differences and disputes over

transboundary flood issues; and

3. providing administrative mechanisms, support and technical tools which member

States can apply.

During a regional workshop in October 2006, member States confirmed their support for

Component 3 and agreed that transboundary flood issues needed to be identified before the

work plan and actions could be developed.

In response, the programme began a process to identify transboundary flood issues in late

2006. Taking a highly participatory bottom-up approach, it involved National Mekong

Committees and line agencies.

The objective of this activity is to elaborate on transboundary flood issues of regional concern

to be addressed by Component 3. The expected product is a well-structured compilation of

relevant transboundary flood issues, indicating methodologies, including institutional and

management aspects, which are relevant to address the issues. Specific objectives are to:

• synthesize national perspectives on transboundary flood issues;

• compile identified issues from the regional perspective of the Lower Mekong Basin;

and

Exit

Back to Conent

• elaborate on options for Component 3 in enhancing cooperation in addressing

differences which may arise from such issues.

This Chapter of the report provides information concerning background and objectives of this

activity. Chapter 2 gives an introduction on the approach and methodology highlighting how

the identification process and consultations progressed. Results given in Chapter 3 include a

synthesis of national perspectives on transboundary flood issues and a working definition of

what such issues involve. A list of identified issues based on main causes and effects is

included. This chapter also looks at differences in perspectives and perceptions as well as

options for enhanced cooperation. Chapter 4 highlights the need for follow-up activities and

proposed steps to be taken.

The body text of this document is supported by seven annexes: Annex 1 presents a

comparative analysis of specific situation as indicated in the national flood issue study

reports. It focuses on headings such as geography and climate, country socio-economic

development, flood characteristics, definitions, transboundary flood issues, vulnerability of

affected groups, legislation and addressing transboundary flood issues, main agencies,

existing policies and strategic frameworks, priorities areas for support, mechanisms for

addressing TB flood issues. Annex 2 contains a specific compilation of transboundary flood

issues as indicated in the national flood issue study reports. Preferred mechanisms, roles and

contributions for enhanced cooperation of the MRC Secretariat are given in Annex 3

reflecting the discussion during the regional meeting on 22

, June 2007. Annex 4 summarizes

the key characteristics of the identified transboundary flood issues describing their nature,

main effects and impacts. Annex 5 provides background on the nature and the characteristics

of floods in the Lower Mekong River Basin and Annex 6 presents the methodology used to

carry out a validity check. Finally, opportunities for the MRC to make a useful contribution

are indicated in Annex 7.

The main purpose of this report is to identify the regionally concerned transboundary flood

issues that will build common understanding about transboundary flood issues as well as

ways to address them between the member states. The identified issues will guide the design

and further implementation of the FMMP component 3 for enhancing cooperation and

building capacity of the MRC to better address the issues as well as differences and dispute in

relation the issues.

2 Approach and methodology

The identification work started in April 2007 with national consultation process. Participants

included members of the committees, line agencies and institutions involved in flood

management and mitigation. Before the workshops, the FMMP recruited four national experts

on flood issues and tasked them with preparing national reports. National consultations

included provincial activities.

In the national consultations, the preliminary results of the four national reports were

presented to NMCs and line agencies. They succeeded in developing a common

understanding of national perspectives on transboundary issues associated with floods. The

FMMP team kept a low profile as observers at this phase, allowing information to be

compiled internally and broad discussions to be held. The next steps were bilateral

discussions between Cambodia and Viet Nam as well as Lao PDR and Thailand and a

regional discussion.

Exit

Back to Conent

During the discussions, it became clear that transboundary flood issues are a complex and

diverse subject driven by both natural occurrences and human activities. Hence, the

relationships between causes and effects were not always clear and careful scientific analysis

was needed. Following the bilateral and regional discussions on transboundary flood issues,

the identified issues were categorised into two groups: i) transboundary flood issues (real or

perceived to be real) and ii) pending/unclear issues (potential or anticipated)

Issues categorised as pending required further analysis to clarify the nature of the causes

(physical and structural; management and operation of hydraulic systems; land and water use

practices; other). The analysis helped to focus resources on key areas where capacity or

enhanced cooperation are needed. These included needs for improved fact-finding,

complexity reduction and interest-based consideration of values and trade-offs between the

beneficial and non-beneficial impacts of floods.

In addition, the bilateral and regional discussions also focused on identifying the preferred

mechanisms, support needs and possible roles of the MRCS to process of addressing

transboundary flood issues.

See annex 6 for explanation of the process to validate the issues against agreed definition.

Exit

Back to Conent

3 Results of regional synthesis and compilation process

3.1 Synthesis of national perspectives on transboundary flood issues

3.1.1 General

All four national reports provided a comprehensive compilation of nationally-perceived trans-

boundary flood issues. In the case of Thailand, no significant impacts from transboundary

tributaries on other riparian countries were reported. National reports from Cambodia, Lao

PDR and Viet Nam listed a broad range of transboundary flood issues.

Issues refer to national definitions with similar essential elements such as ‘adverse effects’ in

one country resulting from changes in floods caused by human activities in another.

None of the national reports made direct allegations against other members. They did,

however, detail some of the causes including projects and developments that are completed,

ongoing or under consideration within the Lower Mekong Basin and beyond.

The national reports indicated that common applied approaches are to address transboundary

flood issues directly between concerned parties

F. Moreover, the member countries recognized

the alternative to addressing and resolving differences and disputes between concerned parties

within the framework of 1995 Mekong Agreement

The Lao-Thai Joint Committee for management on Mekong River and Heung River and Lao-

Thai Joint Technical Sub-Committee for management on Mekong River and Heung River

have held several meetings on transboundary issues. Agreement has been reached on

improving exchanges of data and information in specific cases and on draft regulations for

exploiting sand along the Mekong and general draft technical infrastructure standard for bank

protection activities along the Mekong and Heung Rivers

The report by Viet Nam described the general spirit of committee meetings with Cambodia as

“equal, friendly and respectful for the interest of each other” and noted that “all conflicts have

to be solved through negotiation” (see

XAnnex 1X).

3.1.2 Nationally-perceived transboundary flood issues

A comparison of transboundary issues in the national reports appears in XAnnex 2X and focuses

on the causes, effects and impacts. A synthesis appears below.

UViet Nam:U The national report covers six issues perceived as having impacts on the Mekong

Delta. The impacts include wetland degradation, reduced fish production, incremental bank

erosion, risks of dams breaking, blockage of fish migration routes and deteriorations in water

quality and turbidity. Such impacts are perceived to be partly caused by hydropower

development in upstream; agricultural and irrigation development in Prey Veng and Takeo

provinces in Cambodia; industrialization and urbanization along the main rivers and canals;

flood control, road and infrastructure development in the flood plain in Cambodia;

Existing bilateral mechanisms between Lao PDR and Thailand and between Viet Nam and Cambodia.

Described in the working paper on the legal mandate of the 1995 Mekong Agreement

Exit

Back to Conent

deforestation in upstream areas; and increased exploitation of sand from river beds. All of

these activities are perceived to have altered conditions under which floods occur and

develop.

Cambodia

U: The national report lists five perceived transboundary flood issues. The main

impacts include higher floods of longer duration, lower fish productivity due to factors such

as reduced migration and disappearance of deep pools, increased risks of dams breaking and

severe damage to property and human life. These impacts are perceived to be partly caused by

the construction of flood-control systems along the Vietnamese-Cambodian border; resident

protection areas along the border; hydropower facilities in the Se Kong, Se San and Srepok

basins; hydraulic works (especially hydropower dams) on main tributaries; and floodplain

encroachment (such as building more flood-protected areas) which affect upstream areas in

Cambodia.

Thailand:

U No significant transboundary floods from transboundary tributaries have been

reported in literature or hydrological records in Thailand. Only the Kok and Tonle Sap sub-

basins are classified as transboundary tributaries.

Lao PDR:

U The national report lists three perceived transboundary flood issues with impacts

on the Lao part of the Lower Mekong Basin. The main impact is erosion on the left bank of

the Mekong with the loss of cultivated land, houses and fishing boats as well as the long-term

disappearance of islands. Such impacts are perceived to be partly the result of port

construction and bank protection; sand and gravel exploitation in Lao PDR and Thailand; and

insufficient communication about the operation of Pak Mun dam (especially the opening of

the gate without warning). Dam releases can result in strong currents and are also perceived to

change river hydraulic conditions and deviate water flows (changing direction and intensity of

velocity).

3.1.3 National frameworks for disaster management and regional cooperation on

flood management

All MRC members consider preventing the adverse impacts of floods as a part of their

national disaster management plans. Disaster committees have a coordinating role and usually

make recommendations on prevention, preparedness, mitigation, emergency response and

rehabilitation. Addressing transboundary flood issues falls under their mandates.

Thailand:

U The National Civil Defence Committee is the main policy-making body under the

Ministry of Interior. Under the Civil Defense Act passed in 1979 and revised in 2002, the

committee has responsibility for managing disasters at the national, regional and local levels.

Under the current draft National Water Law, however, the national report concludes that the

National Water Resource Committee and River Basin Committees would be responsible for

resolving water disputes. It makes a case for applying international conflict-resolution and

dispute-settlement mechanisms under the framework set by the Mekong Agreement of 1995.

Cambodia:

U There are four levels of Committee for Disaster Management established and

operated in Cambodia. The highest level is the National Committee for Disaster Management

(NCDM), which is responsible for coordinating effective emergency relief and developing

preventive measures to reduce loss of live and property. Members of the NCDM are

appointed by government sub-decree of the Royal Government of Cambodia. The NCDM is

headed by the prime minister. The three next levels are provincial and municipal, district and

commune committees are chaired by provincial and municipal, district governors and

Exit

Back to Conent

commune chief respectively. The NCDM carries out its work in close collaboration with

international and other organizations concerned with flood management in Cambodia, such as

the International Federation of the Red Cross (IDRC), the Cambodia Red Cross (CRC),

UNDP, the World Food Program (WFP) and various national NGOs. With the recent

adoption of the National Water Resource Law, the Ministry of Water Resources and

Meteorology (MOWRAM) is mandated to undertake appropriate measures to ensure effective

water resources management including international and national measures for addressing and

mitigating flood and drought. The Cambodia National Mekong Committee (CNMC) is

mandated by the RGC to coordinating flood trans-boundary at national and regional level.

Lao PDR

U: The inter-ministerial National Disaster Management Committee acts as the main

policy-making and coordination body. Flooding is included in a list of potential hazards. The

National Disaster Management Office is supported by a secretariat and is responsible for

building the capacity of national agencies. The office also ensures collaboration amongst

regional and international stakeholders such as FAO, UNDP and NGOs. It cooperates with

all government ministries and agencies on disaster management in all phases: preparedness,

emergency assistance and mitigation. It also develops policies, including national disaster

management plans, and provides overall direction for provincial and district plans.

Viet Nam

U: In Viet Nam, the Flood and Storm control system of Viet Nam contain there

organizational levels: Central (national), provincial and district levels. The Central Committee

for Flood and Storm Control (CCFSC) assists the Prime Minister in Flood and Storm Control

aspects. The CCFSC consists of members from various related ministries and organizations.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development is chairman of the CCFSC. The

Provincial Committee for Flood and Storm Control and Search and Rescue is chaired by Vice

Chairperson of PCC. The Department of Dike Management and Flood and Storm Control of

MARD plays a role as Secretariat of the CCFSC whilst the Provincial Division of Water

Resources or Provincial Division of Dyke Management and Flood and Storm Control act as

Secretariat of the Provincial Committee.

Committee for flood and storm control and disaster mitigation at province level have to be on

duty for 24/24 hour, regular and urgent reporting are required to be strictly implemented for

all disaster related information; promote the delivery of training courses on disasters

prevention to fishermen; regular contact with the Central Committee for flood and storm

control and disaster mitigation, and the Southern Committee for flood and storm control and

disaster mitigation in handling with information related to flood and storm control and search

and rescue.

In addition to the CFSC system the Flood and Storm control system of Viet Nam also

includes National Committee on Decade of International Disaster Mitigation which is

responsible on community tasks and international communication.

3.1.4 National constraints to addressing transboundary flood issues

The national reports suggested several issues that constrain the effective resolution of

transboundary flood issues. Technological and knowledge- related constraints appear to be

most important followed by policy, governance and institutional constraints. Financial and

economic constraints were also mentioned (see Annex 1).

• Knowledge-related constraints refer to limited access to reliable information on

structural development plans including standard design criteria and policies. Better

access to and operation of appropriate tools would help to improve understanding of

Exit

Back to Conent

causes and effects. Such methodologies and frameworks for assessing changes and

impacts on environment, socio-economic conditions will be based on a strong

platform of hydrological, hydraulic, simulation and socio-economic models accepted

by the member countries.

• Policy, governance and institutional constraints refer to differences in administrative,

institutional and policy frameworks in the four member States. Sectoral development

policies, technical standards, flood-warning levels and design guidelines for flood-

control structures need to be harmonized. Responsibilities for flood management and

operating schedules at provincial and local levels need to be clarified.

• Inadequate financial and economic resources are another important constraint. In Lao

PDR, for example, joint studies of bank erosion require considerable funding for

which budget allocation is insufficient.

3.2 An agreed working definition of transboundary flood issues

Based on national views on transboundary flood issues, reference was made to the definition

of “transboundary impact” under the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary

Watercourses and International Lakes (Helsinki 1992). The regional meeting subsequently

agreed on a working definition of “transboundary flood issue” which is adapted to the

situation in the Lower Mekong Basin. Accordingly, transboundary flood issues

F are defined

as: “any existing or potential substantial adverse impact on the natural, economic or social

environment within an area of a Riparian State resulting from a change of the water

conditions during the flood season and/or during the occurrence of floods of the Mekong

River system caused by a human activity, originating wholly or in part from within one or

more areas of one or more other Riparian States

F”.

The definition has three elements

1. Impact (a substantial adverse effect on the …environment within an area of a Riparian

State);

2. Effect (change of water conditions during the occurrence of floods); and

3. Cause (human activity originating wholly or in part from within one or more areas of

one or more other Riparian States).

In its broadest sense, an issue can be defined as a contentious point of question.

Use of this definition of Transboundary flood issues only applies in reference to the activities of component 3

identify, addressing and resolving differences or disputes among concerned parties of the MRB. In the broader

application of the term “transboundary flood issues” includes both natural and man-influenced flood.

In order to define transboundary flood issues, we take an integrated view which refers to the cause-effect-

impact chain following human activity. It implies an issue assessment that eventually considers the social and

economic and environmental factors that result from changes in flood conditions. It reflects a widely held view

that consideration of any issue means considering effects and impacts together.

Exit

Back to Conent

3.3 Synthesis of regional perspectives on transboundary flood issues

Facilitated by the FMMP, the four member States discussed and generally agreed on six broad

groups of transboundary issues with impacts on five geographical areas: i) the Lower Mekong

Basin as a whole; ii) the Mekong Delta; iii) the Se San, Srepok and Se Kong river basins; iv)

the upper reaches of the Mekong mainstream; and v) a small catchment in northwest

Cambodia bordering Thailand. The six board groups of transboundary flood issues are related

to:

1. floodplain developments within the Mekong Delta;

2. upstream developments in the Lower Mekong Basin that have impacts on the Mekong

Delta;

3. hydropower development projects in the Upper Mekong Basin;

4. hydropower project development and operation in the Se San, Srepok, and Se Kong

river basins;

5. bank protection and port development, sand excavation, dam-operation

communications in the upper reaches of the Mekong mainstream; and

6. increased flooding on tributaries in northwest Cambodia.

A summary of the main characteristics of the issues identified is presented in

XAnnex 2X.

3.3.1 Group 1: Issues related to Floodplain developments within the Mekong Delta

There are numerous transboundary flood issues related to structural floodplain developments

in Viet Nam and Cambodia, especially those in the border zone.

Main causes

: Structural changes have included irrigation systems, significant road

construction, flood-control units and regulators, and embankments to protect agricultural,

urban and industrial land. Such developments preceded sectoral developments which have

taken away the storage and retention capacity of the natural river and floodplain system.

Significant sand excavation from river and lake beds may change the hydraulic conditions of

river flows. Industrialization, urbanization and the intensification of agriculture also are

considered as important potential causes to transboundary flood issues. A more detailed

analysis of the causes is given below.

Main effects

: As a result of such structural developments, floods have become more severe.

There is a risk of prolonged inundation along the Cambodian-Vietnamese border and

riverbank erosion may increase. Industrialization, urbanization and the intensification of

agriculture pose a considerable risk of pollution having an impact on the quality of water and

land resources.

Nature of issues

: Since developments take place on both sides of the border, the issues are

bilateral. Both sides recognize that structural developments and changes in land use in one

country have impacts on the other.

Exit

Back to Conent

Box 1: Explanation of floodplain developments

Floodplain developments refer to changes in the pattern, nature and intensity of land use

across the floodplain, the construction of new buildings and infrastructure (e.g. roads, dykes,

canals, weirs,…) in flood-prone locations, and the modification of existing flood-prone

buildings and infrastructure. Floodplain developments can significantly alter flood behavior

and risk by redirecting water flows, increasing the velocity of floodwaters, changing flood

levels, reducing flood storage and, most fundamentally, attracting more people to live and

work in flood-prone locations.

Source: Joy (2006)

Structural changes

The national reports of Cambodia and Viet Nam identify a number of structural changes on

the floodplains as the main cause for changing water conditions. Changes include the

construction of flood-control systems along the border, which are likely to slow cross-border

flooding and increase the height and duration of the flood. “Closed” areas with year-round or

partial flood-control embankments reduce the natural retention capacity for floods and change

the flow regime, also increasing the height and duration of the flood. The construction of

resident protection areas along the border will affect both the flow regime and fish migration

between the two countries. There is little question that structural developments including

irrigation projects alter the way flooding occurs. Embankments can redirect the natural way of

flooding and thereby change the flood behavior substantially in terms of flow velocity and the

height of water tables (Joy 2006). There is a risk that partial flood-control systems become

more vulnerable to flooding. The impact could be that net benefits from such systems are

absorbed by increased production losses.

Agricultural intensification

There are concerns that plans for agricultural development and intensification near the border

pose a considerable pollution risk resulting from increased use of fertilizers and pesticides.

Generally, agricultural intensification refers to increased average input of manure and mineral

fertilizers, crop residue, pesticides and the like for increasing the value of output per unit of

land.

Urbanization and Industrialization

Significant environmental and health risks are posed by untreated industrial and urban

chemical waste and sewage, which originate from rapid urbanization and industrialization in

the LMB, in particular the relatively rapid economic recovery after the 2000 flood. Further

accelerated urban growth has had an impact on the demand for construction materials

including sand and gravel, which is mainly being exploited from riverbeds. As a result, river

cross sections may be altered, affecting flow velocities and creating further erosion and

pollution risks.

3.3.2 Group 2: Issues related to Impacts of LMB upstream developments on the

Mekong Delta

Within the Lower Mekong Basin, downstream countries recognize the important net

economic benefits arising from upstream developments. But they perceive the consequences

as a potential threat to the sustainability of their own water use systems.

Exit

Back to Conent

Main causes: The lower basin’s hydropower potential is about 30,000 MW, including 13,000

MW on the mainstream. However, only about five per cent of the total potential (1,600

megawatts) has been developed through 11 tributary projects. No dams have been built on the

LMB mainstream. Out of the four member States, Lao PDR has the highest hydropower

potential. In addition, deforestation is considered also a factor potentially causing

transboundary flood impacts

Main effects

: The main potential effects of these developments would be to alter the flood

regime even further. Effects include changing the reversal flow regime of the Tonle Sap and

associated wetland fish productivity, as well as losing important ecological benefits from the

annual Mekong Delta floods.

Nature of issues

: The issues are multilateral, concerning the transparency of current

development plans and their potential transboundary impacts. Issues also relate to assessing

and optimizing design and operating procedures.

3.3.3 Group 3: Issues related to Impacts of upstream hydropower development in

the Upper Mekong Basin on the LMB

Participants in bilateral and regional meetings issues expressed concerns about the potential

changes to flooding arising from hydropower developments and operations in the Upper

Mekong Basin.

Main causes

: The Peoples Republic of China has built two large dams on the Mekong

mainstream, the Manwan and Dachaoshan dams with a total installed capacity of 1,850 MW.

Overall, China plans a cascade of eight hydropower dams across the upper reaches of the

Mekong. Total active storage volume of the first six would be 23.0 billion m

(Joy 2006, BDP

2002).

Main effects

: Main potential effects on the LMB flood regime include a transition of wet to

dry-season flows, which would possibly alter the seasonal inundation of floodplains of both

the Tonle Sap and the Mekong Delta. This could impact the biodiversity such as fish

productivity and other important wetland functions. In the delta, the main effects include

reduced wet-season flows and a reduction of sediment loads, which provide important

benefits mainly to the agricultural sector.

Nature of issues

: The nature of the issues is multilateral and involves all six riparian countries.

As projects progress and possible impacts become more visible, it is felt that existing dialogue

mechanisms need to address possible transboundary impacts in general and overall LMB

flood impacts in particular.

3.3.4 Group 4: Issues related to Hydropower development and operation in the Se

San, Srepok, and Se Kong

F river basins

Transboundary flood issues in this area relate to unexpected water releases that resulted in at

least one serious flood in 1999-2000, which had impacts in terms of lives and property.

The LNMC suggested to refer to ADB project No. 40082, December 2006 for more information.

Exit

Back to Conent

The three river basins cover an area of about 78,650 km

of which about 38 percent is located

in Viet Nam, 33 percent in Cambodia and 29 percent in Lao PDR. The rivers converge with

the Se San upstream from Stung Treng where they join the mainstream as a single river.

Together, they contribute about 17 percent of the Mekong’s annual discharge.

Main causes

: A cascade of hydropower developments is planned for each basin. In the case of

the Se San, about six projects with a total installed capacity of 1,743 MW are being

implemented. Cascade developments for the Srepok include seven projects with total installed

capacities of 694 MW and annual energy production of 3.33 billion KWh. More dam

construction plans are underway for the Se Kong basin.

Main effects

: Although important project benefits for the socio-economic development of the

sub-area are recognized, operations will influence downstream flows. Accordingly, it is felt

that these problems need to be studied carefully with the participation and coordination of

related parties.

Nature of issues

: The nature of this transboundary flood issue is bilaterally involving

Cambodia and Lao PDR; and Cambodia and Viet Nam.

3.3.5 Group 5: Issues related to bank protection and port development; sand

excavation; dam-operation communications in upper reaches of the Mekong

mainstream

A number of transboundary flood issues concern left and right-bank activities along the upper

reaches of the Mekong mainstream between Lao PDR and Thailand. They involve the loss of

land and assets due to erosion caused by bank protection and port development as well as

sand excavation. Communications about dam operations is also an issue.

Main causes

: According to the Lao PDR’s national report, erosion along the left bank of the

mainstream is a priority issue of transboundary dimension which is caused by bank protection

and port development on the right bank. It also relates to insufficient communication of Pak

Mun dam operations. Twice a year, water is released from the dam to free storage and the

embankment opposite the confluence of the Mun and Mekong Rivers is regularly flooded.

Main effects

: The masses of land washed away exceed the natural erosion experienced 10 to

15 years ago.

Nature of issues

: The nature of this issue is bilateral between Thailand and Lao PDR.

Experience from meetings of the Lao Thai Border Committee suggests that main differences

relate to factual matters concerning the underlying cause and effect relations between bank

protection on one side and erosion on the other. The issue involves the operators of Pak Mun

dam and government agencies alike.

3.3.6 Group 6: Issues related to increased floods on tributaries in northwest

Cambodia

In early 2007, floodplains belonging to the Tonle Sap sub-basin in northwest Cambodia

experienced abnormal floods.

Main causes

: Causes are somewhat unclear. The area is subject to heavy rainfall. It is also

heavily deforested.

Exit

Back to Conent

Nature of issues: The issue is of bilateral nature and concerns factual matters, which require

clarification.

Discussions on identifying causes of the transboundary issues, it was found that three main

groups of causes namely i) Physical and structural; ii) Management and operation of systems;

and iii) Land use practices

. Among them, the Physical and structural together with

management and operation of systems are considered as the most important factors for all

identified issues. Land use perceived as important cause for the group 1 and 2 and

insignificant/uncertain for the others. Floodplain developments have the most complex set of

causes, the importance of which is high to very high. In addition, there are factors with urban

waste management and water sanitation which add to the complexity. For Issues 5 and 6,

causes and impacts are unclear.

Perspectives on importance of causes for transboundary flood issues

Issues Physical and

structural

Management

and operation

of systems

Land use

practices

Other

Group I. Issues related to

Floodplain developments within

the Mekong Delta

Very high High High Urban waste

management &

water sanitation:

high

Group 2: Issues related to

Impacts of LMB upstream

developments on the Mekong

Delta

Medium High Medium to

high

Group 3: Issues related to

Impacts of upstream hydropower

development in the Upper

Mekong Basin on the LMB

Medium to

high

High Insignificant

Group 4: Issues related to

Hydropower development and

operation in the Se San, Srepok,

and Se Kong river basins

Medium High Low Communication on

dam operations

Group 5: Issues related to bank

protection and port development;

sand excavation; dam-operation

communications in upper reaches

of the Mekong mainstream

High High Medium Communication on

dam operations

Group 6: Issues related to

increased floods on tributaries in

northwest Cambodia

Uncertain Uncertain Uncertain

3.4 Approaches, support needs and opportunities to enhance cooperation

Following the analysis of transboundary issues, their nature and main causing factors of

human activities, the question was raised regarding preferred strategic approaches and

mechanisms to address the issues.

Exit

Back to Conent

3.4.1 Approaches for addressing transboundary flood issues

Bilateral and regional meetings unanimously indicated that the preferred strategic approach in

addressing transboundary flood issues should

• build on existing bilateral mechanism supported or facilitated by the MRC Secretariat

in general and Component 3 in particular;

• share experiences and lessons learnt from bilateral mechanisms, expanding them to the

multilateral and regional level where appropriate; and

• strengthen multilateral mechanisms such as the Mekong dialogue partnership by

providing suitable tools and services from the MRC Secretariat (relating to Upper

Mekong Basin developments and global concerns associated with climate change).

Technical support would focus on three main categories:

• Information and knowledge generation and exchange to improve factual evidence of

causes, effects and impacts. This includes science-based clarification and awareness

raising, information exchanges, joint fact-finding missions and studies, and

harmonization of policies and regulations.

• Development and application of tools to reduce complexity so causes and effects are

sufficiently clear to allow effective response strategies to be identified. The suitability

of tools would be demonstrated and tested within specific pilot areas and or projects.

• Capacity building in impact assessment to provide a framework and develop analytical

capacity for interested and value-based discussions on trade-offs between beneficial

and non-beneficial impacts. The underlying assumption here is trust and confidence

among the parties involved.

Administrative support need to:

• Ensure adequate stakeholder participation with senior technical and administrative

representatives of line agencies including national and provincial levels if required

• To develop and agree on processes and procedures which provide sufficient scope for

factual and information-based discussions which result in agreed strategies and

actions; and

• Ensure progress, continuity and sustained interest in the process through awareness

raising, conflict prevention, management and funding.

It was suggested by Thailand that a distinction was made between occurred incidents (perceived or real

incident) and potential issues. Differences and disputes related to occurred incidents should be addressed as

through a process provided by MA95 or bilaterally. Potential transboundary flood issues should be treated as to

enhance cooperation through conflict prevention or avoidance

It is suggested in Vietnam national report that Global issues including the potential impact of climate change on

sea levels and the flood regime of the Mekong River Basin would be addressed by taking a basin-wide approach

and initiatives on the part of the MRC Secretariat.

Exit

Back to Conent

3.4.2 Bilateral cooperation support needs

The consultations found that bilateral mechanisms to address transboundary flood issues

require technical and administrative support to:

1. organize joint fact-finding and technical study groups for needs assessments,

specifying terms of reference, and planning and facilitating activities;

2. provide analytical and diagnostic tools such as hydrological and hydraulic models

including the MRC Decision Support Framework, WUP-FIN models and flood

probability information developed by Component 5 of the regional flood programme;

3. build capacity in interest and value-based discussions of trade-offs between beneficial

and non-beneficial impacts as well as conflicts;

4. support process management and linkages to other initiatives; and

5. plan and organize awareness campaigns as well as conflict prevention and

management.

3.4.3 Multilateral and regional cooperation support needs and opportunities

Support needs of multinational cooperation are in areas similar to those described above.

Opportunities also exist within the framework of technical assistance. Examples include the

MRC- initiated and ADB-funded Se San, Srepok, and Se Kong River Basins Development

Study.

The Mekong Region Water Resources Assistance Strategy initiated by the World Bank is

promoting three regional studies, which are relevant from a flood-impact perspective. These

include:

• options for joint water-resource development and management between Lao PDR and

Thailand in the Mekong Basin; and

• options for joint water resources development and management between Cambodia

and Viet Nam in the Mekong Delta;

Support needs for MRC dialogue with its Upper Mekong Basin partner would probably

include additional mechanisms, which remain to be identified.

Exit

Back to Conent

Box 2: Se San, Srepok, and Se Kong River Basins Development Study

An opportunity exists for addressing transboundary flood issues within the framework of the ADB-

funded Se San, Srepok, and Se Kong River Basins Development Study. Originating from a project

identification note by the Basin Development Plan Programme of the MRC, an ADB fact-finding

mission visited the three countries for consultations with the NMCs, key line agencies, provincial

representatives (in Viet Nam), NGOs and the MRC Secretariat. The mission formulated the technical

assistance to address the need to improve coordination and beneficial impacts of future development

initiatives. In November 2006, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Viet Nam confirmed their concurrence with

the impact, outcome, outputs, implementation arrangements, cost and financing arrangements for the

proposed assistance. According to the project document (ADB 2006), the primary outcome will be the

establishment of effective joint sub-basin institutional arrangements. These will build on existing

NMCs and other committees focused on water management issues in the three river basins within the

broader framework of the Mekong Agreement of 1995. The assistance will strengthen the capacity of

integrated water-resource management and create a “shared road map” for water-resource and basin

development under different scenarios, helping to establish a development envelope for sustainable

use of the resources.

Box 3: GMS Flood and Drought Risk Management and Mitigation Project

In close cooperation with the MRC’s regional flood programme, the ADB is preparing a $2 million of

the PPTA for Flood and Drought Risk Management and Mitigation Project under its Greater Mekong

Sub-region program. The outcome is expected to be improved ability of communities and

governments to prepare for, respond to and recover from floods and droughts. Key activities include

identifying and prioritizing flood and drought issues in each country by developing regional and

national roadmaps for improved flood and drought-risk management. The project will also develop a

prioritized program of structural and non-structural interventions in each country on which feasibility

studies for national investment programs will be based.

Exit

Back to Conent

4 Follow-up activities and next steps proposed

The identification of transboundary flood issues responds to the request from the MRC

member States and is a first step towards implementing Component 3 of the FMMP. The six

groups of issues of regional concern represent a broad area and require specific response

strategies and actions. They would be addressed through enhanced cooperation and be based

on technical and administrative priority capacity and support needs.

Transboundary issues represent prime areas of cooperation and MRC support to member

States. They must be managed in a coordinated manner, promoting inter-governmental and

inter-agency cooperation based on integrated water resource management (IWRM) principles.

Adequate and effective mechanisms for cooperation will build on existing bilateral and multi-

lateral arrangements and be supported or facilitated by the MRC Secretariat in general and

the flood programme in particular.

Adding value to existing bilateral and multilateral mechanisms is an important challenge for

the programme and the MRC as a whole. Enhanced transboundary cooperation implies that

Component 3 takes adequate actions to develop capacity. Such actions need to take into

account the identified impact areas and focus on people’s livelihood and structures exposed to

flood risks. They also need to recognize the main hydro-ecological zones, sub-areas and river

reaches including boundaries within the massive floodwaters connected to the Mekong

mainstream. Close communications with government agencies including foreign ministries

and disaster management committees will have to be ensured.

It is useful to emphasized that, in the field of transboundary cooperation and/or conflict

prevention and management, together with the FMMP component 3, various MRC

programme, like WUP, BDP and EP, have already made headway and have produced sets of

information, have strengthened stakeholder capacities, and have developed procedures and

tools, while new developments are ongoing. Particularly relevant presently is the USAID

supported Joint Programme of Cooperation on MRC Trans-boundary Conflict Management

Initiative through ECO-Asia, which will also involve all MRC programme. This initiative

will provide orientation and guidance for the individual programme in dealing with

transboundary issues like Component 3 of FMMP. It will also be instrumental in sharing

information about past experiences and ongoing activities, so overlaps and duplication of

efforts can be prevented or minimized. The design of Component 3 for each of the underlying

activities of the three outputs incorporates assessments of the materials and tools developed

under other MRC programme, which will be identified and screened for applicability under

this component, while products of FMMP will be shared with other programme. More

information on the design, activities and outputs of the other MRC programme related to

transboundary implications can be found in the annex 7

In addition to the important opportunities for cooperation exist within MRC programmes, the

regional initiatives leaded the ADB and the World Bank will also create significant additional

supports and opportunities for enhancing cooperation and strengthening capacity of the MRC

in addressing the transboundary issues.

Exit

Back to Conent

References

ADB (2006). Se San, Srepok, and Se Kong River Basins Development Study in Kingdom of

Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. Asian

Development Bank

BDP (2002) Regional sector overview: Hydropower. Basin Development Plan Program, Mekong

River Commission, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. November 2002; (BDP 012-4)

Buxton, M., Kelly, M. and Jennifer Martin (2003). Environmental conflicts in the Mekong River

Basin: prevention and resolution. Report to the Environment Programme, Mekong River Commission.

Joy, C.(2006): Framework for the development of best practice IFRM guidelines. Vol. 2. Background

information (draft). Mekong River Commission, April 2006.

Miller F (2002) “Meeting water needs and avoiding conflict: the challenge of cooperation in water

resources management in the Mekong Delta”, River symposium 2002, Scarcity of Water, 3-6

September; cited in Buxton et. al. 2003.

MOWRAM (2003) National Sector Review. Water Supply: Domestic Water and Sanitation: Industrial

Water Use. BDP

MRC (2005). Overview of the Hydrology of the Mekong Basin’, Water Utilization Programme Start-

Up Project. Mekong River Commission, September 2005.

FMMP (2007). On the legal aspects of the mandate of the 1995 Mekong Agreement: For enhancing

cooperation in addressing transboundary flood and related issues. Draft working paper. Flood

Management and Mitigation Programme. Component 3: Enhancing Cooperation in Addressing Trans-

boundary Flood Issues

Robbins, M., Williams, T.O. (2005). Land Management and its benefits. The challenge, and the

rationale, for sustainable management of drylands. Draft working paper for STAP workshop on SLM,

March 2005)

Exit

Back to Conent

Annex 1: A comparative analysis of National Flood Issue Study Reports

Aspects CNMC LNMC TNMC VNMC

Geography and

climate

Southwest Monsoon (wet

season) starts from June to

October/November

Northeast Monsoon (dry

season from November to

April-May)

Changes in rainfall amount and

pattern have very strong

implication for hydrology and

water resources, including the

flood or drought situation

Southwest monsoon: mid May

to mid October, heavy and

frequent rainfall and high

humidity, wind, warm and

wet.

Northeast monsoon:

November-Mid March, the

atmospheric pressure is high,

low temperature and humidity,

cool dry air.

Rainfall: 1,300-3,700 mm,

Temperature: 15°C to 40°C

Viet Nam is located within the

monsoon and tropical climate

area; dry season from

November to April receives

less than 10% of annual

rainfall while the rainy season

from May to November

receives the remaining 90%.

The Cuu Long Delta (CLD) is

the most southern part of Viet

Nam. It covers thirteen cities

and provinces, with a total

area of approximately 3.9

million hectares and a

population in 2005 of nearly

18 million

Average elevation is from 0.7

– 1.2m above mean sea level,

except the band located along

boundary with Cambodia has

the elevation of about 2.0 –

4.0 m

Country socio-

economic

development

Cambodia remains one of the

poorest nations in the world

with income of about US$384

per annum (2005): over 36%

live below poverty line;

Socio-economic development

dependent on agriculture; (37%

of GDP);

GDP has grown at the average

of 6.2 percent a year, an

increase of 0.3 percent over

the period from 1996 to 2000;

To reach ambitious years 2020

targets, it is vital to attract

foreign investments and

encourage domestic

Thailand is a middle-income

country that has seen

remarkable progress in human

development in the last twenty

years. The poverty has been

reduced from 27% in 1990 to

9.8% in 2002;

From 1990 to 2004, Vietnam’s

GDP nearly tripled; At

present, Viet Nam is

implementing its Socio-

economic Development 2001-

2010 Strategy, which is aimed

to life the country from its

under-developed status;

Exit

Back to Content

Aspects CNMC LNMC TNMC VNMC

75% of labour force; about

80% of poverty remains in this

sector;

80% of cultivated areas are

subsistence rain fed rice with

very low yield levels

stakeholders to built water

storage infrastructures system

for expanding irrigated

agriculture aiming at boosting

rice production to reach 3.3

million tones as targeted in

year 2010

CLD It contributes nearly

50% of the total rice and

aquaculture production

Average population density in

the CLD: 423 people/km

Flood characteristics

Downstream of Kratie, flood

discharge is regulated through

extended floodplains, and

outflow into three main

channels – Lower Mekong and

Bassac rivers, and Tonle Sap

River and Great Lake

Dominant influence on the

incidence and severity of

flooding in the Cambodian

floodplain and the delta in

Vietnam from left bank

tributaries downstream of

Vientiane (Nam Ngum and

Nam Theun, and the Se Kong,

Se San and Sre Pok Rivers

entering the Mekong

mainstream at Stung Treng)

Reversal flow of the Tonle Sap

forms a key feature for

Cambodia’s floodplain

hydrology

The flow patterns is also

determined by downstream

hydraulic conditions, tidal

influences and backwater

effects particularly upstream

Last 37 years ( 1966-2002 ) 27

floods

Among of 27 historic floods, 6

were large floods: 1966, 1971,

1978, 1995, 1996 and 2002,

Agriculture in the Mekong

river flood plain is particularly

prone to flood damage not

only due to over bank flows

inundation from the

mainstream, but also from the

back water effects in the

tributaries when the

mainstream is full;

1995 flood (Storm Lois)

caused tributary backwater

effects and inundation of

103,000 ha of the Vientiane

Plain; with the depth of

between 0.5 to 0.8 m for

period up to 2 months.

Year 2002 of Vongfong-14

storm from Southeast

Monsoon affected in 12

provinces; 43 Districts; 1,000

villages; 30,000 families;

Flood is considered as one of

the most dangerous disaster

for human life and socio-

economic development

The Mekong flow is naturally

regulated by the Great Lake in

Cambodia before entering to

the CLD; floods are governed

by flat topography, the regime

of the flow from up stream,

the regulation of Great Lake,

regimes of East and West tide,

local rainfall and hydraulic

infrastructure (control) system

Low flow season from

December to June with

average discharge of about

3000 m3/sec; the flood season

from July to November with

average discharge of about

25,400 m3/sec.

Annually, an area of 1.2 - 1.9

million hectares of the CLD

are inundated for from 2 - 5

months and water depth from

0.5 m to 4.0 m and more;

Exit

Back to Content

Aspects CNMC LNMC TNMC VNMC

flow 8,556 household damages and

03 person died;

Standard of Hydro-

Meteorology Department.

Water level at Tan Chau:

lower 3.83 m: small flood;

from 3.83 – 4.33 m average;

higher than 4.33m: large

flood.

Definitions

Transboundary flood impacts

occur in relation to both

between different

administrative boundary within

the same political boundary,

and between two or more

countries.

The economic, social and

environmental loss due to

transboundary flood can result

from both:

• reduction in their benefits

as a result to of delayed

and reduced high flow,

sediment yields and

associated

siltation/destruction of key

fish habitats;

• abnormal flooding as a

result of flow release or

flow back-up due to

structure operations.

Trans-boundary issues are

potential socio-economic

conflicts that concern two or

more countries that share

common borders;

“Enhancing Cooperation in

order to solve the problem

affected from the Trans-

boundary Flood Issues

concerning Prevision and

Mitigation Disasters, directly

and indirectly, result from any

construction which may be

affected to the other side”

Flood occur on international

rivers and impacts to riparian

countries is called trans-

boundary flood;

Activities from riparian

countries (particular in the

countries that share the

common boundary) cause

disadvantage changes to

flood’s characteristics and

results to negative impacts on

social-economic and

environmental conditions

Transboundary flood

issues

Impacts from hydrological

changes on Cambodian

floodplains due to upper

Mekong development

Bank erosion, water quality

deterioration, fisheries,

flooding, dam construction

and etc.

Global issues: more frequent

floods due to climate changes,

risks of dam failure resulting

from earthquakes

Exit

Back to Content

Aspects CNMC LNMC TNMC VNMC

particularly dam and weir

construction for hydroelectric

power in upper parts of the

MRB, likely result in

remarkable changes in water

levels and timing, and changes

in morphological processes.

Impacts from cascade dam

development along the Se San,

Sre Pok and Se Kong.

Likely impacts from the

construction of flood control

system along the Vietnam and

Cambodia border, along the

Vinh Te - Vinh An - Tan

Thanh - Lo Gach canals as well

as the “closed” areas with the

year-round flood control

embankment on increasing

inundation depth and duration

in the Cambodia side;

Impact from flow fluctuations

by dams & diversion on

siltation of deep pool fish

habitats, and spawning areas

along key stretches of the

Mekong mainstream and

tributaries in Cambodia;

Increasing risk of more severe

flooding through loss of flood

plain storage capacity

particularly in areas of the

Mekong flood plains both in

and from outside of Cambodia,

being developed for higher

Priority transboundary issue:

Severe bank erosion along the

left embankment side of the

Mekong River partly due to:

bank protection works mainly

on the other side;

port protection on both sides

but more significantly on the

Thai side

sand and gravel exploitation

(42 sites along both sides of

Mekong River)

Bank erosion and disruption

of fisheries due to unexpected

dam releases from the Pak

Mun Dam, Thailand (dam is

generally opening the spillway

gate two times per year, before

rainy and flood season,

without timely warning)

Upstream issues:

Hydropower development in

upstream countries increase

risk for dam failure

Deforestation in upstream

countries increases flooding,

inundation and sedimentation

process for downstream

countries

Sand excavations changes

flood flows and increases

pollution risk

Urbanization and

industrialization

Developing infrastructure,

particular transportation road

net, dyke and embankment

system, will narrow flood

flow, change its direction,

increase flood velocity and

result in riverbank erosion

Developing infrastructure,

roads, navigation alters flood

flows and increases pollution

risk

Agricultural development

plans including flood

protection especially in

Cambodia would alter flood

regime

Exit

Back to Content

Aspects CNMC LNMC TNMC VNMC

value uses.

Flash flood/sudden flood due

to abrupt and sudden water

release from dam or dam

break.

Issues in the CLD (affects on

upstream countries originating

in the CLD)

Increase flood water level

along border part of

Cambodia, cause by flood

control system in the Long

Xuyen Quadrangular and the

Plain of Reeds

Vulnerability of

affected groups

Most densely settled part of

Cambodia is on the floodplain

of the Mekong, Tonle Sap,

Bassac and Tonle Sap Lake,

and Cambodia experiences

flooding every year in July-

November.

4 main ethnic groups: Kinh,

Khmer, China, Cham, of

which Kinh is majority (83%)

Population living in provinces

located in downstream areas

(Can Tho, Tien Giang, Ben

Tre)

Legislation and

addressing transboundary

flood issues

Article 59 and 61 of the

National Constitution

Law on Water Resources

Management (May 2007)

Mandates the Ministry of

Water Resources and

Meteorology (MOWRAM) to

undertake appropriate

measures to ensure effective

water resources management

including international and

national measures for

addressing flood and drought

Law on water and water

resources (Presidential Decree

No.126/PR on November 2,

1996.

Decree on the Agreement and

Endorsement of the National

Strategy on Environment to

the years 2020 and Action

Plan for the years 2006-2010

which was signed by Prime

Minister No.120/PM on

August 27, 2004.

National Strategy on

Prevention and Management

of impact to the river bank

Constitution of the Kingdom

of Thailand B.E. 2540 (A.D.

1997): preservation,

maintenance and balanced

exploitation of natural

resources and biological

diversity

Civil Defense Act of 1979;

Civil Defense Plan 2005

(revision of the Civil Defense

Plan 2002);

Bureaucrat Reform Act 2002,

Treasury Act of 2003 defines

the mechanisms for allocating

Government Decree

No.86/2003/ND-CP dated

18th July 2003 on functions,

tasks, authorities and

organizational structure of

Ministry of Agriculture and

Rural Development (MARD),

main responsible body for

hydraulic system

management; prevention,

control and management of

drought, inundation, salinity

intrusion

Law on Water Resource (May

1998): Article 43: Preventing,

combating and overcoming

Exit

Back to Content

Aspects CNMC LNMC TNMC VNMC

erosion and ecosystem in the

Mekong River and Nam

Heung, and Action Plan for

each Fives years as: 2006-

2010, 2011-2015, 2016-2020

and 2021-2025 which was

signed by Minister of Ministry

of Communication Transport

Post and Construction

No.055/MCTPC on January 9,

2007

disaster relief assistance

the consequence of drought;

Article 44: Prevention and

fight against salinity

infiltration, rising and spill of

sea water

Land Law 1993

Law on Forest Protection and

Development

Law on Environmental

Protection 2003

Main Agencies

The Cambodia National

Mekong Committee (CNMC)

is mandated by the RGC to

coordinating flood trans-

boundary at national and

regional level.

National Committee for

Disaster Management

(NCDM);

Ministry of Water Resources

and Meteorology

(MOWRAM);

Ministry of Agriculture,

Forestry and Fisheries

(MAFF),

Ministry of Environment

(MOE),

Ministry of Industry, Mine and

Energy (MIME),

National Disaster

Management Committee

(NDMC) as an inter-

ministerial policy making and

coordination body (since

1999); organized from central

vial provincial, district to

village levels;

National Land Management

Authority

MAF (Ministry of Agriculture

and Forestry)

Department of Agriculture and

Extension (DAE)

Department of Forestry (DF)

National Agriculture and

Forestry Research Institute

(NAFRI)

Department of Meteorology

The National Civil Defense

Committee (NCDC) is the

main policy making body;

NCDC is responsible for

coordinating all activities

relevant to civil defense and

disaster management;

Membership comprises

representatives from all of

national government agencies

concerned

12 Regional Disaster

Prevention and Mitigation

Centers;

Numerous local Civil Defense

Committees at provincial,

district and local levels

In 2002, the Department of

Disaster Prevention and

Mitigation (DDPM), has come

into existence under the

National Water Resources

Council

Ministry of Agriculture and

Rural development (MARD)

Department of dyke

management, flood and storm

control (DDMFC)

At Province level: numerous

departs with specific flood

management tasks assigned

People’s Committee of

District

People’s Committee, Farmers,

Water user brigades

Exit

Back to Content

Aspects CNMC LNMC TNMC VNMC

Ministry of Public Works and

Transport (MPWT),

Ministry of Rural Development

(MRD);

Municipality of Phnom Penh

and Hydrology (DMH)

MFA (Ministry of Foreign

Affairs)

MND (Ministry of National

Defense)

MF (Ministry of Finance)

MCTPC (Ministry of

Communication, Transport,

Post and Construction).

Department of Roads (DOR)

Waterway Administration

(WAD)

Ministry of Industry and

Handicraft (MIH);

Department of Electricity

(Dam Operation)

Electricite Du Laos (EDL)

Lao Flood Management

Committee

Department of Electricity

(Dam Operation)

umbrella of Ministry of

Interior;

Department of Water

Resources (DWR), established

the Water Crisis Prevention

Center in 2003 for an effective

remedy of water crisis; master

plan for water crisis

prevention and mitigation

Royal Irrigation Department

(RID); responsibilities for

water regulation, provision,

storage, maintenance,

distribution and allocation for

agriculture, energy, domestic

consumption, industry and

also including prevention of

damage causing by water, and

inland navigation within

irrigation area

Land Development

Department, Ministry of

Agriculture and Cooperatives

Office of Natural Resources

and Environmental Policy and

Planning, Minister of Natural

Resources and Environment

Altogether nearly 40

organizations involved in

flood management

Exit

Back to Content

Aspects CNMC LNMC TNMC VNMC

Existing policies and

strategic frameworks

2004 National Water

Resources Policy for the

Kingdom of Cambodia

Promote flood protection

structure (embankment,

polders) and drainage;

Apply effective and efficient

non-structural methods of flood

management

Respond quickly and timely to

the drought, flood or other

water related events;

Encourage active participation

in flood mitigation and

management measures, and

adaptive management;

Participate actively in regional

and international efforts to

manage and mitigate water

related hazards.

Numerous decisions,

ordinances, degrees, orders

Strategy for natural calamity

management, control and

alleviation (NCCA) in the

CLD; (NCCA calls for the

combination between internal

force promotion and external

cooperation strengthening

Protect people’s lives.

Minimize property damages.

Sustainable socio-economic

development

Integrate regionally and

internationally

Also Continue to complete

irrigation structure systems

Lining ring dyke system and

embankments protecting

banks of key areas

Priorities areas for

support

Participants of the National

Workshop identified 4 out of

the 7 issues identified as the

most complicated situation of

high uncertainty and with high

risk of dispute;

Complex underlying factors

that would need to involve the

development of knowledge and

Bank erosion in the Mekong

River is seen as a serious

matter and arrives at alarming

stage, especially during flood

season

Data collection capacity at

national levels

Enhance cooperation for

Criteria about flood levels and

agreement on trans-boundary

flood issues, and need to share

information about developing

plans which are able to change

flood characters and cause

influence to other countries

Watershed planning for

development of the whole

Exit

Back to Content

Aspects CNMC LNMC TNMC VNMC

its acceptance and involvement

of various stakeholders in the

deliberation together with the

policy-makers and basin

management.

Key intervention areas:

Methodologies/frameworks for

assessing changes and impacts

Damage assessment &

resources economics

Rules & policy harmonization

solving that (bank erosion)

problem soon

Analysis of floods along the

river (both sides), in order to

reduce the affect of flow

direction change along the

Mekong river

Impact of Pak Mun

Hydropower Dam hydropower

should be joint studied

(reconnaissance in order to

collect the existing data for

analysis)

Lao PDR-Cambodia-Thailand

cooperation for Trans-

boundary Flood Issues should

consider fishery

basin

Forecasting and warning

Coherence of legal and policy

framework, administrative

boundaries and

responsibilities

Technical abilities of a part of

the full-time staff of the Storm

and Flood Control units.

Mechanisms for

addressing TB flood

issues

A number of bilateral

arrangements (Cambodia-Laos;

Cambodia-Vietnam; or

Cambodia-Thailand) to be

supported by FMMP/MRC;

Basin-wide framework for

searching joint counter

measures for preventing and

addressing transboundary flood

issues involving more than 2

countries (e.g. for Se Kong Se

San and Sre Pok Sub Basin);

Broader regional cooperation

involving all Mekong Basin

countries

Lao-Thai Cooperation (5

bilateral mechanisms):

Lao-Thai Joint Cooperation

Committee (JC),

Lao-Thai General Border

Committee (GBC),

Lao-Thai Association for

Friendship,

Lao-Thai Governors Border

Committee, and

Lao –Thai Joint Border

Committee

Principle approach:

equal, friendly and respect for

the interest of each others

all conflicts must be solved

through negotiation

Building on successes of

bilateral cooperation manly

with Cambodia

MRC coordinates with the

sponsors selection of “hot”

regions; proposed provinces:

Long An, Dong Thap and An

Giang

Exit

Back to Content

Aspects CNMC LNMC TNMC VNMC

Triangular growth cooperation

between Laos, Cambodia and

Vietnam

Bilateral Technical Committee

to address issue of Se San

management, and for flood

management due to roads and

dikes in Vietnam Mekong

Delta

Joint Water Resources

Development and Management

between Cambodia and

Vietnam in the Mekong Delta

Inter-provincial committees

National Border Committees

Committee for Prevention and

Management of impact to the

river bank erosion and

ecosystem in the Mekong

River and Nam Heung’

The basic role of this

committee is coordinating/

studying/ seeking of budget to

whole the organization

concern as inside country and

abroad, in order to implement

on the bank erosion protection

along the Mekong River

between Lao and Thai

borderline/set up the strategy

work plan for short term as 5

years, medium term is 10

years and long term is 20

years, and cooperation with

Thailand such as “Committee

for Lao-Thai Cooperation in

order to manage on business

activities along the Mekong

River and Nam Heung”

Regulation Rule for sand and

gravel exploitation along the

Mekong river

Technical Infrastructure

Standard

Exit

Back to Content

Annex 2: A compilation of transboundary flood issues as indicated in the National Flood Issue Study Reports

No Cause Effect Impact Remark

I Identified by Vietnam

Upstream Hydropower

development

Change flow pattern due to

regulation;

Reduction of sedimentation;

Degradation of wetland;

Reduction of fish production;

Increment of bank erosion;

Increment of dam break risk;

Blockage of fish migration routes;

Reference is made to dams in China,

Lao PDR, Thailand, Viet Nam and

Cambodia;

Agriculture/irrigation

development in Prey Veng and

Takeo

Increment of used fertilizers and

pesticides;

Change of flood distributions in Plain

of Reeds due to irrigation system

(canal, embankment, sluice);

Deterioration of water quality;

Cause bank erosion in Mekong

river near border;

Bilateral issues between Vietnam and

Cambodia;

Industrialization and urbanization

along the river and canal

Recharging untreated (not properly

treated) wastes to water course

Deterioration of water quality Mainly bilateral issues between

Vietnam -Cambodia

Development of flood control

system, road network and

infrastructure in Cambodia flood

plain

Change of flood pattern and

distribution in flood plain (e.g. over

discharge to Vaico system, including

incremental flood flow in Mekong

and Bassac river);

Increment of inundation in some

area in Vietnamese delta (e.g.

downstream area of Vaico,

Southern part of Tien Giang;

Increment of bank erosion in

Mekong and Bassac river)

Bilateral issues between Vietnam –

Cambodia

Deforestation in upstream Increment of flood peak;

Increment of surface erosion

Enlargement of inundation area;

Increment of turbidity;

Forest in Lao, Thailand, Cambodia

and Vietnam;

Exit

Back to Content

No Cause Effect Impact Remark

Exploitation of sand Change flow pattern in river channel Increment of bank erosion; Mainly bilateral issues between Viet

Nam – Cambodia

II Identified by Cambodia

The construction of flood control

system along Viet Nam -

Cambodia border (e.g. the Vinh

Te - Vinh An - Tan Thanh - Lo

Gach canals)

Decrement of cross-border discharge

capacity of the flood plain

Increment of inundation depth and

time in Cambodia;

Change of flood distribution in

Cambodia

Bilateral issues between Vietnam and

Cambodia

The construction of resident

protection areas along Viet Nam -

Cambodia

Decrement of discharge capacity of

the flood plain

Obstacles of fish migration;

Hydropower development in Se

Kong-Se San and Srepok system

Change of flow pattern in river; Severe damage of property and

human life;

increment of dam break risk;

Dams in Lao and Vietnam

Construction of Hydraulic works

(especially Hydropower dams) in

main tributary

Change of water levels;

Reduction in nutrient levels;

Reduction of fish product in

Cambodia

Change of ecosystem along

Mekong river;

Obstacle fish migration;

Filling up of deep pool fish

habitats, and spawning areas in the

Mekong mainstream and tributaries

in Cambodia;

increment of dam break risk;

Works in Lao, Vietnam, Thailand

Encroachments of floodplains

(e.g. building more flood

protected area)

Change of water level, inundation

area and time

Reduction storage and regulation

capacity of flood plain;

Bilateral issues between Vietnam and

Cambodia;

The Cambodia delegation expressed that the sand exploitation problem also occurs in other reaches of the Mekong River which was confirmed by the Laos and

Thai delegations.

Exit

Back to Content

No Cause Effect Impact Remark

III Identified by Thailand

No significant transboundary

flood from the Thailand has been

reported in the

literature/hydrological records

Only sub-basin 2T (Kok) and 9T

(Tonle Sap) are classified as

transboundary tributaries

IV Identified by Lao PDR

Port and bank protection

construction;

Deviation of hydraulic condition of

the water flow (change direction and

intensity of velocity);

Bank erosion at such locations

seems to have worsen lately;

Until 2004 Thailand has completed

over 89 km of river bank protection

while in Lao PDR only around 14 km

in 2006;

16 small port development on the Lao

side;

Many ports on the Thai side;

particularly 2 larger ones in

Xiengsaen and Xiengkhong;

The correlation between bank

protection and bank erosion needs

further studies or surveys

Sand and gravel exploitation in

both countries;

Deviation of hydraulic condition of

the water flow (change direction and

intensity of velocity);

Bank Erosion 42 points of sand and gravel

exploitation in both countries;

The correlation between sand

excavation and bank erosion needs

further studies or surveys

Operational of Pak Nam Mun dam

(generally opening the spillway

gate two times per year without

warning to downstream)

Strong current from Nam Mun river

mouth during raining season due to

Pak Moun Dam released of flood

water

Bank erosion with loss of cultivated

land, houses and boats, and in the

long run the disappearance of

islands.

The correlation between operation of

Pak Mun and bank erosion needs

further studies or surveys

Exit

Back to Content

Annex 3: Preferred mechanisms; role and contributions of the MRCS as expressed at the 1

regional meeting, June 22

, 2007

Issues Preferred mechanisms for

addressing transboundary flood

issues?

Preferred roles of MRCS in the

addressing differences process?

What could MRCS do to successfully

fulfil this role?

Group I. Issues related to Floodplain

developments within the Mekong

Delta

Cambodia; regional;

(V) Bilateral at different scales;

regional when needed

facilitation support

(V) technical, administrative

(financial) support; facilitate process

including development of

methods/approach

procedure

(V) Improve capacity, tools, info and data

sharing; development guidelines for EIA

Group 2: Issues related to Impacts of

LMB upstream developments on the

Mekong Delta

(V) Bilateral and Regional

mechanism (in frame of MRC)

facilitation support;

(V) Facilitate to maintain the

regional linkage; Technical support

(expertise, technology); facilitate the

process

capacity of MRCS, dev. process and

procedure;

(V) Capacity building for technical staff

of MRC; Improve tools; Improve

information and data sharing

communication; Develop guidelines to

assess impacts of development

interventions

Group 3: Issues related to Impacts of

upstream hydropower development in

the Upper Mekong Basin on the LMB

partners

(L) MRC and dialogue; JCC Lao

– China;

of investigate; regional exchange

information;

(L) Mediator/ facilitator, data

exchange and sharing; exchange visit

procedure

(L) Technical /financial support; inviting

China to dialogue meeting, Capacity

building

Group 4: Issues related to

Hydropower development and

operation in the Se San, Srepok, and

Se Kong river basins

Cambodia; Bilateral Lao-

Cambodia (if possible)

facilitation support

procedure

Exit

Back to Content

Group 5: Issues related to bank

protection and port development; sand

excavation; dam-operation

communications in upper reaches of

the Mekong mainstream

(L) Existing bilateral Lao – Thai; (L) Mediator/facilitator to existing

mechanism;

(L) Technical /financial support for joint

study meeting

Issue 6: Issues related to increased

floods on tributaries in northwest

Cambodia

C) Assessment tools, mediation and

facilitation support;

procedure

Legend:

C: CNMC

L: LNMC

T. TNMC

V: VNMC

Exit

Back to Content

Annex 4: Summary information on nature, main effects and impact of transboundary flood issues

Issues Main causes Main effects on floods Main impacts Nature of issues

Group I. Issues related to

Floodplain developments

within the Mekong Delta

• Expansion of Agriculture

/irrigation systems

• Development and operation

of flood protection and

control systems, road

network

• Industrialization and

urbanization along the river

and canal;

• Sand exploitation from main

rivers;

• Change hydraulic and

hydrological conditions

of flow and water level in

flood plain and channel

system;

• Change of inundation

area and duration;

• Change of water quality

especially sedimentation,

nitrate and pesticide

loads

•

• Increased risks for loss of

lives and damage to

property affecting

millions of people

• Reduction of fish

production;

• Degradation of water

quality;

• Increment of bank

erosion of Mekong and

Bassac

• Bilateral issues between

Cambodia – Viet Nam

Group 2: Issues related to

Impacts of LMB upstream

developments on the Mekong

Delta

• Construction, management

and operation of

hydropower projects on

tributaries (mainly in Laos

and Viet Nam)

• Deforestation in upstream

• Change of flow pattern

due to regulation;

• Change of water quality;

• Reduction of

sedimentation;

• Increased risks for loss of

lives and damage to

property

• Reduction of fish

production

• Increment of dam break

risk

• Potential bi- and

multilateral issue

between Riparian States

Group 3: Issues related to

Impacts of upstream

hydropower development in

the Upper Mekong Basin on

the LMB

• Construction, management

and operation of

hydropower plants Upper

part of MRB (mainly in the

Lancang river)

• Transition from wet to

dry season flows

• Reduced flood volume

and duration;

• Reduction of

sedimentation;

• Blockage of fish

migration routes;

• Potential impact on

floodplain along the

mainstream, Tonle Sap

and Mekong Delta

• Multi-lateral between

MRC member States and

Dialogue partners

• Apparent effects

Group 4: Issues related to

Hydropower development

and operation in the Se San,

Srepok, and Se Kong river

basins

• Construction, management

and operation of

hydropower projects

• Change of flow pattern in

river and water levels

• Damage of property and

human life

• Increment of dam break

risk

• Bilateral issues between

Cambodia – Viet Nam

and Cambodia – Lao

PDR;

Exit

Back to Content

Issues Main causes Main effects on floods Main impacts Nature of issues

Group 5: Issues related to

bank protection and port

development; sand

excavation; dam-operation

communications in upper

reaches of the Mekong

mainstream

• Bank protection and port

development

• Sand excavation

• Communication of dam

operations;

• Change of flow pattern

and water levels

(uncertain cause-effect

relations)

• Enhanced turbidity

• Bank erosion and loss of

land

• Disruption of fisheries

• Bilateral (pending) issues

between Lao PDR and

Thailand

Issue 6: Issues related to

increased floods on tributaries

in northwest Cambodia

• Flash floods with

uncertain cause-impact

relations

• Bilateral (pending) issues

between Cambodia and

Thailand

Exit

Back to Content

Annex 5: Floods in the Mekong

Floods form a natural feature of the Mekong River’s annual flow regime. They can be described

as a sudden rise of the water level generated by a number of reasons. According to Joy (2006),

the peoples of the Lower Mekong Basin living in flood-prone areas are exposed to the hazards

and risks of the following 7 types of flood: mainstream floods (MF); tributary floods (TF); local

floods (LF); dam release floods DRF); dam break floods (DBF); storm surge floods (SSF); and

tsunami floods (TF).

Accordingly, mainstream floods discharging from the upstream reaches are dominated by the

Yunnan hydrological component, which contributes some 16% to the overall annual discharge of

the Mekong River. Downstream of Vientiane / Nong Khai, floods move steadily down the river

and arrive in Phnom Penh some 5-6 days after reaching a peak in Vientiane (Joy 2006).

Mainstream floods appear to be dominated by floods from the tributaries from both left and right

bank side and in combination with heavy rainfall in the basin.

Ecologically, floods of the Mekong River are an important source for the abundance of fish and

agricultural productivity in the basin. About 700 fish species have been described in the basin

and 65 fish families more than in the Amazon basin. The Mekong River is third in the world in

the diversity of fish species with 1000 to 1,600 species. The wetlands also provide habitat for a

numerous bird species, mammals, plants and large numbers of amphibian, reptile, insects and

other species.

However, the flat topography of the lower Mekong floodplain combined with the high

population density, especially within the Cuu Long Delta of Viet Nam, make floods a recurrent

threat. High incidents of poverty in the flood-prone areas make the population extremely

vulnerable to flood risks. Loss of life and property, damage to agriculture and rural infrastructure

and disruption of the socio-economic activities of people living in flood-prone areas are

frequently experienced.

There is a growing recognition that the magnitude of severe flooding in the Lower Mekong

Basin is increasing in part as a result of human interventions. Factors include climate change,

deforestation and land use changes in upland areas of the basin and structural developments

further downstream. All such changes cause an increased flood risk in the form of increased peak

flows and water levels resulting in prolonged and expanded inundation.

One of the most striking lessons from the Mekong’s flood history has resulted in a major

paradigm change in the region by taking a 'living with floods' approach

F. For example, in Viet

Major tributary systems only begin to develop in the Lower Basin and these can be separated between those which

contribute the major wet season flows and those that drain low relief regions of lower rainfall. The former are the

left bank tributaries that drain the high rainfall regions of Laos and the Central Highlands region in Vietnam and

eastern Cambodia, and the latter those on the right bank, most notably the Mun and Chi Rivers that drain NE

Thailand (MRC 2005)

Story from BBC HNEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/science/nature/2869659.stmH; published: 2003/03/21

Exit

Back to Conent

Nam this has resulted in a shift from year-round high to partial flood control on agricultural land

in the Mekong Delta. Partial control implies that land is open to flooding during most of the

flooding season. Farmers are advised to clear their summer/autumn rice crop well before the

floods arrive. It is now widely recognized that floods carry important functions, which enhance

the natural resource base and thereby contribute to more sustainable conditions. Important

benefits associated with the flood can be summarized as follows

• Nutrient supply. Disposal of nutrient-rich sediments. In the border provinces of the

Vietnamese delta, the depth of sediments being disposed by floods varies between 3 and

5 cm, depending on the duration of inundation.

• Soil acidity leaching and buffering effects. Sediments disposed by floods also buffer

against the natural acidity of the acid sulphate soils. Leaching and chemical buffer

reactions help to maintain the pH milieu in balance.

• Soils structural improvement effects. While maintaining a favorable balance between

acidity and alkalinity, floods indirectly maintain the soil structure and stability, factors

which contribute to improved availability of soil moisture to crops.

• Soil hygienic effects. Another important benefit of floods is the control of plant

pathogens either in the forms of larvae, or spores and other soil-borne forms of parasites.

More details on the benefits of floods for agriculture are given in the National transboundary flood issue report of

Viet Nam, 2007

Exit

Back to Conent

Annex 6: Validity check of transboundary flood issues

The agreed working definition was subjected to a validity test. Accordingly for a given

transboundary issue three key questions were asked:

1 Does the issue relate to a substantial adverse impact on the natural, economic or social

environment of a Riparian State?

a. If the answer to the question is “no”, then the issue is not of transboundary dimension,

b. If the answer to the question is “unclear”, then the issue is pending and requires further

analysis;

c. If the answer to the question is “yes”, then the next question will be asked, which is:

2 Does the substantial adverse impact result from a change of the water conditions during the

occurrence of floods; and/or during the flood season of the Mekong River system?

a. If the answer to the question is “no”, then the issue is not of transboundary dimension,

b. If the answer to the question is “unclear”, then the issue is pending and requires further

analysis;

c. If the answer to the question is “yes”, then the next question will be asked, which is:

3 Are changes caused by a human activity within area(s) of (an)other Riparian State(s)?

a. If the answer to the question is “no”, then the issue is not of transboundary dimension,

b. If the answer to the question is “unclear”, then the issue is pending and requires further

analysis;

c. If the answer to the question is “yes”, then the issue is clearly of transboundary

dimension.

The outcome of the validity test permitted a categorization of transboundary issues into the

following three groups:

• transboundary flood issues,

• not transboundary flood issues, and

• pending transboundary flood issues.

Those issue that were categorized as ‘pending’ required further analysis. This was to identify

both differences in perspective and the needs for enhanced cooperation. The following additional

questions intended to further clarify their nature.

1. If the answer to question 3 (causes) is “unclear”, then:

a. What is the nature of the main human activities (causes)

• Physical & structural

Exit

Back to Conent

• Management and operation of hydraulic systems

• Land and water use practices

• Other

b. What is their (main causes) relative importance for the TB flood issue?

• High

• Medium

• Low

c. What are the key areas for enhanced cooperation?

• Fact-finding and evidence

• Complexity reduction

• Interest, values and trade-off discussion

• Other

2. If the answer to question 2 (primary effect) is “unclear”, then:

a. What are the key needs for enhanced cooperation and support in order to clarify the

matter?

• as above under 1.c

3. If the answer to question 1 (substantial adverse effect) is “unclear”, then

a. What are the key needs for enhanced cooperation and support in order to clarify the

matter?

• as above under 1.c and 2.a.

Exit

Back to Conent

Annex 7: Opportunities for the MRC to make a useful contribution

This section provides an assessment of main linkages for the DMP in relation to other

MRC programmes. They reflect discussions and views that were expressed in

consultations with key MRCS programme staff members.

Flood Management and Mitigation Programme (FMMPU)

Important linkages and synergies exist within the Flood Management and Mitigation

Programme (FMMP).

Component 1 supports the establishment of the Regional Flood Management and

Mitigation Centre. This component is involved with the production of improved

monitoring, operational forecasting and warning, risk assessment and mapping.

Component 2 —Structural Measures and Flood Proofing. Activities of this Component

include among others social surveys and related analyses, community participation,

environmental studies, flood management, hydrology and river hydraulics, mapping and

geographic information systems, economic and financial analyses, and training.

Component 3 - Enhancing cooperation in addressing transboundary flood issues - is

involved in the generation of information, raising awareness and knowledge and building

skills and development of toolbox. The component will lead to strengthening cooperation

and enhancing capacity of the MRC in addressing and resolving differences and

differences in trans-boundary flood issues

Component 4 —flood emergency management strengthening. The Component provides

builds capacity in planning, and implementation of flood preparedness focusing on border

provinces and districts in Viet Nam and Cambodia.

Component 5 is concerned with land management issues. It is currently implemented

with funding from BMZ/GTZ, Germany. The main product of the land management

component is flood probability information in the form of electronic maps at a scale of

1:10,000. In order to make effective use of these maps, staff of the relevant line agencies

will have to be trained in using them during their land use planning exercises.

Presumably, this component's lessons-learned will benefit the formulation of drought risk

reduction strategies and their implementation at the organization and institutional levels.

Closely linked to the FMMP are the two hydro-meteorological projects: i) Appropriate

Hydrological Network Improvement Project (AHNIP) and ii) Mekong HYCOS. Both

projects aim to improve the river flow monitoring capacity and hence, provide data and

information on the river hydrology independently of national levels. Hence information

must be regarded as crucial for mediation purposes of transboundary dimension.

MRCS and USAID Joint Programme of Cooperation on MRC Trans-boundary

Conflict Management Initiative: The MRCS and USAID are cooperating on the MRC

Trans-boundary Conflict Management Initiative, a multi-year effort to support

implementation of Goal 2 of the Strategic Plan in the three focus areas identified by the

NMCs and MRCS: (1) situational analysis; (2) institutional strengthening; and (3)

Exit

Back to Conent

capacity building. ECO-Asia will work across the full range of MRC programmes that

are actively engaged or planning activities in conflict management, including

International Cooperation and Communication Section (ICCS), EP, and FMMP.

Basin Development Plan (BDP)

The MRC’s Basin Development Plan (BDP) database contains presently a total of 415

projects of which 69 are classified as joint projects. Many are multi-purpose projects

addressing flood related issues including irrigation, watershed and environmental

management projects. During its phase one, the BDP programme conducted numerous

‘sub-area transboundary’ meetings in which development interests, benefits, as well as

negative impacts on another member country were examined. In these meetings common

areas of transboundary concern were identified and management strategies identified. A

guideline for sub-area transboundary meeting has also been developed for water and

water related resources planning.

Agriculture, Irrigation and Forestry Programme (AIFP) - Watershed Management

Project

Important linkages and complementarities exist between the MRC’s Agriculture,

Irrigation and Forestry Programme (AIFP) and the Component 3 of FMMP. The AIFP

Watershed Management Project is concerned with the assessment of ´land use changes

and their effect on the water resource systems at the level of catchments. Independently

where interventions in watershed management are successfully implemented, their impact

will always be local and at the same time add up to a cumulative trans-boundary impact.

A fundamental assumption of the project is a better understanding of cause-impact

chains, which would enable the development of management strategies and policy

recommendations for maintaining a healthy state of the river systems and mitigate their

adverse impacts accordingly.

In this context, transboundary flood issues are a key problem and the project's envisaged

approach is to develop and use the tools and systems that permit an up-scaling of

watershed level experiences to policy level recommendations at a higher provincial or

national level.

The AIFP water use efficiency component is currently formulating a project on

improving the efficiency in rice irrigation systems. In collaboration with the FAO

Regional Office for Southeast Asia, Bangkok, this project proposes a pilot performance

study on irrigation modernization. Pilots include flood protected irrigation systems in the

Mekong Delta, of both types year-round and partial control. Findings of this project could

provide generic recommendation concerning the adoption of irrigation system design

standards on the floodplains.

Fisheries Programme (FP)

All Mekong fisheries are driven by the flood regime of the river and its tributaries. There

is a well established relationship between fish productivity and the area inundated. Fish

production is largely dependent on the availability of sufficient water and hydraulic head

in order to inundate flood plains and lowlands within the Basin.

Exit

Back to Conent

Fish ecologies react to changes water conditions of the floodplains in various ways

depending on type, species and management systems. To describe those fisheries

strategies is obviously beyond the scope of this report. However, the most important

impact of structural changes is a substantial reduction of migration, which results in

substantially reduced productivity.

Important linkages and complementarities exist to all FP components. Component 1

opens access to the FP network of partner organizations, and Component2  fisheries

ecology, valuation and mitigation, develops mitigation and management strategies, which

are potentially important elements for the development of drought management and

mitigation strategies. Component 3 relates to the institutional arrangements of riparian

fish line agencies and Component 4, looks into specific aspects related to aquaculture

systems for species that are indigenous to the Mekong river system.

Water Utilization Programme (WUP)

Important linkage to trans-boundary environmental impact assessments carried out earlier

under WUP Working Group 2 and the present work under the IBFM activities.

The opportunity for Component 3 is to apply the Integrated Basin Flow Management

Assessment Framework, an expert-based impact assessment tools, which objective

scientific knowledge on primary and secondary ecological and socio-economic impacts

of floodplain ecosystems.

In this connection it should be mentioned that World Bank-initiated Mekong Region

Water Resources Assistance Strategy (MWRAS) is presently promoting three regional

studies which are relevant from a transboundary flood impact perspective. These include

the following:

Options for joint water resources development and management between Lao PDR and

Thailand in the Mekong Basin (Lao/Thai options study) – supported by the World Bank;

Options for joint water resources development and management between Cambodia and

Viet Nam in the Mekong Delta – supported by the World Bank; and

Identifying opportunities for collaboration in the Se Kong, Se San and Sre Pok Basins in

Cambodia, Lao DPR and Viet Nam (3-Ss study) – supported by the ADB.

Besides, under the WUP, the MRC strengthened its capacity to study the complex

hydrological and hydraulic behaviour of the Mekong River including floods. The

Decision Support Framework comprises a set of hydrological and hydrodynamic models

and flood analysis procedures. The model is seen as work in progress and which would

imply a continuous need and widening scope for more advanced analytical tools

addressing a range of water quality and ecosystem models and assessing environmental

and social impacts under various flow regimes. Once the WUP and BDP phase II are full

operational, the Component 3 of FMMP could benefit from a much improved modeling

capability and procedures to be used as a tools within the context of transboundary flood

issue cooperation.

Exit

Back to Conent

Environment Programme (EP)

There are specific interests and linkages related to impacts within the MRC Environment

Programme activities. Particularly, the Environment Programme has been leading the

implementation of IBFM focussing on improving the understanding of the biophysical

impacts of changes in flow. Within this framework, Transboundary Environmental

Impact Assessment (TBEIA) has been tested as a planning tool for structural water

resource development projects. Unlike environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which is

compulsory for most significant donor-funded projects, TBEIA would be of added value

to a range of water resource related projects.

TBEIA guides the conduct EIA in a transboundary context including how to

address/settle any dispute if they arise. In addition, the TBEIA would assist the four

MRC member States to cooperate on technical matters and administrative arrangement

defined under the scope of TBEIA. Technically, the assessment involves a number of

broad transboundary impact oriented diagnostic steps, including the conduct of joint

studies, risk assessment, and Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment for the Basin

Development Plan, etc. Practically, it is envisaged that the procedures would be given

into the hands of consulting firms, once they successfully completed TBEIA training. For

them the attraction would be in a substantially raised service provision profile.

IKMP: The programme has three main objectives: i) Provision of fundamental data and

information services; ii) Provision of integrated information and knowledge products and

services; iii) Improvement of IKMP systems and tools. It is noted that the IKMP has a

strong focus on the information generation, information sharing and modeling, impact

assessment tools development and application. The information and tools to be developed

and maintained by the IKMP are particularly valuable for the process of addressing

differences and disputes in which fact-finding and problem analysis are most relevant

areas for MRCS to be involve in.

Exit

Back to Conent

Mekong River Commission

P.O. Box 6101, 184 Fa Ngoum Road, Unit 18, Ban Sithane Neua,

Sikhottabong District, Vientiane, Lao PDR

Telephone: (856 21) 263 263 Facsimile: (856 21) 263 264

E-mail: mrcs@mrcmekong.org

Website: www.mrcmekong.org

Exit

Back to Conent

Download
Save PDF to desktop

Email
Email completed PDF

Send for Signing
Email for others to sign

Print
Print document

NAME

Flood Management and Mitigation Programme

View Audit Log
Print With Audit Log
Duplicate Document

Fill Online, Printable, Fillable, Blank Flood Management and Mitigation Programme Form

Related forms

Fillable Flood Management and Mitigation Programme

Fill Online, Printable, Fillable, Blank Flood Management and Mitigation Programme Form

Related forms

First 20 documents completely FREE!