Shallow Mekong stops northern tourist, cargo boats
Vientiane Times, By Phonesavanh Sangsomboun
March 2 , 2010
The Boat Association in Luang Prabang province has announced that northbound cargo boats and slow boats will stop running temporarily due to the low level of the Mekong , which is causing navigation difficulties.
The association made the announcement after being informed by cargo boat captains that the water level in the area of Huaykhoun village, Pakbaeng district, Oudomxay province, had fallen to 60 centimetres so boats were unable to get through.
More than 60 slow boats in Luang Prabang, including cargo boats, have now stopped running to the north, many of which carry handicrafts and animals. The width of the river is currently about 8 metres, which is about the same as in previous years, but the water is shallower in the Huaykhoun area, said the President of the Luang Prabang Boat Association, Mr Nikone Somphantavong.
This year, the river is lower than normal. Normally, it's at least 1 metre in this area but now it's only 60 centimetres, so it's creating problems for river transport.
The association is concerned about the water level which is getting lower and lower. The situation has created problems for the tourism industry and the local economy, but the association has decided to suspend northern boat services for safety reasons.
The association could not say when normal service would resume, but normally the onset of the rainy season sees rivers start to rise in June.
The drop in the level of the Mekong has affected businesses that transport tourists from Luang Prabang to Oudomxay province and continue on to Bokeo.
Tour operators have complained about the problem affecting their business, but we can't blame anyone because this is a natural problem, Mr Nikone said.
More than 100 boats in Pakbaeng are now affected, as many carry tourists from Chiang Rai province in Thailand to Luang Prabang via Bokeo province and Pakbaeng.
The boat association in Luang Prabang is discussing the matter with boatmen in Bokeo province, to try to find a way to transport passengers southwards.
The proposed solution is for the Bokeo Boat Association to take visitors on boats departing at 9am. The tourists would then stay overnight in Pakbaeng before catching another boat to Luang Prabang the following day.
The Mekong is the 12th longest river in the world and the 7th longest in Asia
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