Saline intrusion and climate change-related natural risks have increasingly affected countries in the Mekong region, particularly those in the lower Mekong River basin. Rising sea levels and altered river flows during the dry season have intensified sea tides and saline intrusion. Since mid-2019, the Mekong River’s water levels have remained critically low, severely impacting livelihoods and public health—especially for farmers who rely on river water for irrigation and freshwater aquaculture. These activities are highly sensitive to salinity and therefore face a high risk of loss. Combined with the broader effects of climate change-induced natural hazards, vulnerable populations in the Mekong region—particularly the poor and farming communities— have been disproportionately affected. Read more...
