Vietnam's Red River Measured At Record Low - AFP

[hatrack]

The Red River that divides Hanoi is at its lowest level in more than a century, and global warming could be a factor, a Vietnamese official said on Thursday.

"The level of the Red River was measured at only 0.66 metres (2.2 feet) on Tuesday morning, the lowest level in more than 100 years," said Le Thanh Hai, deputy director of the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

Vietnam is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, the United Nations says. The drying out of the Red River, spanned by several bridges, has left fishing boats stranded and exposed much of the river bed.

"There isn't yet clear scientific proof to say that this phenomenon is linked to climate change but I think there is a link between the two," Hai told AFP. He blamed the low water levels on the year's short rainy season, warming because of the El Nino weather effect, and construction of hydro-electric projects on rivers in southern China and northern Vietnam.

EDIT

http://www.spacedaily.com/2006/091231085635.u6iewnt9.html

[pscot]

1. The Red River seems to rise

in the high mountains in the west of China's Yunan province. It's heavily exploited throughout its length. It may be partly glacial in origin. I don't know why that should matter. I probably just have tinfoil on the brain.

[NNadir]

2. The Mekong is often listed as one of the world's most endangered rivers.

Practically every nation on earth that lives downstream from a glacier fed river is in deep doo-doo.

Dams, ya gotta love 'em, by the way.