"Agencies told to find ways to mitigate Laos dam impact", 3 August 2020

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon urged authorities concerned to discuss and find ways to mitigate the possible environmental impact from the Sanakham Dam project in Laos in the upcoming scheduled public hearings.

"[...] [R]elated agencies have been ordered to focus on and analyse the impact of the dam on water currents and sediments, fisheries, boat navigation and safety, especially in relation to the dam's structural integrity," said Gen Prawit [...] in his capacity as the chairman of the National Mekong River Committee.

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Sanakham Dam is the latest of the six hydroelectric dam projects planned by the Lao government. Its developers are scheduled to begin the construction of the dam sometime this year.

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Member countries which are planning to construct a project along the Mekong River must carry out prior consultations with local residents and authorities before proceeding. While public consultations are mandatory for projects with transboundary impact, ultimately the decision to go ahead rests with the initiating government.

Villagers in Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam have spoken out about the impact of the dams built by China and Laos along the Mekong River, saying such projects have altered water and sediment flow, thus adversely affecting fisheries downstream.

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