A bid to turn the tide of regional drought

Last month, Jinghong Dam in Yunnan province increased its water discharges into the Lancang-Mekong River to ease water shortages downstream in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

According to Thanh Nien News in Vietnam, the region had been stricken by its worst drought in 100 years. The news portal reported in February that 140,000 hectares of rice paddies had been damaged and 600,000 people were facing drinking water shortages.

Jinghong's monthlong extra water discharges were a good-neighborly gesture and helped ease the situation. They were highly appreciated by the countries downstream.