New Mekong dam opens to protests and dried-up riverbed

Erratic flow: A screengrab from an aerial video showing dry patches along the Mekong river downstream from the Xayaburi Dam. — AFP

BAN NAMPRAI (Thailand): The first hydropower dam on the lower Mekong River began commercial operations in Laos amid protests from villagers in Thailand who say the Xayaburi Dam and several others in the works will destroy their livelihoods.

The 1,285-megawatt Xayaburi Dam’s debut yesterday coincides with parts of the Mekong drying to a trickle even at the end of the rainy season, though its builders and operators say it is not responsible for the reduced river flow.