South‑China Sea’s Tropical Low Pressure System Drives Heavy Rain Across the Mekong Basin
The South‑China Sea’s tropical low pressure system is driving heavy rain across the Mekong basin, keeping water levels on the main Mekong River unusually high. At Kratie station in Cambodia, the river reached 21.22 m on the morning of 12 September, 2.22 m above the multi‑year average and 1.39 m higher than the same period in 2025. Forecasts suggest a modest decline but the level will remain elevated for several days. In Vietnam’s lower Mekong, upstream stations at Tân Châu and Châu Đốc recorded 3.52 m and 3.11 m respectively, each exceeding long‑term averages by 0.23 m and 0.17 m. Experts expect peaks of 3.55‑3.60 m at Tân Châu and 3.15‑3.20 m at Châu Đốc within the next 2‑3 days before a gradual recession. The tropical low, moving inland with localized rainfall exceeding 350 mm, may add only limited additional rise.
Floodwaters Rapidly Rise in Tây Ninh’s Đồng Tháp Mười Area
Meanwhile, floodwaters in Tây Ninh’s Đồng Tháp Mười area are climbing rapidly. On 14 September, Mộc Hóa measured 1.42 m—0.22 m above alert level 1—while Tuyên Nhơn reached 1.15 m (0.05 m above). Tân Hưng stood at 2.0 m, just 0.2 m below alert 1. Other gauges showed modest increases: Tân Châu 3.39 m, Vĩnh Hưng 1.87 m, Hưng Điền B 2.20 m, Vĩnh Đại 1.69 m, Kiến Bình 1.19 m. Compared with 2025, most stations are 0.04‑0.38 m higher, yet still below the severe floods of 2011 and 2000. The National Weather Service forecasts a peak of about 3.4 m at Tân Châu on 18 September (0.1 m below alert 1) and roughly 3.0 m at Châu Đốc (at alert 1). Tân Hưng could hit 2.38 m by 20 September, with Vĩnh Hưng and Vĩnh Đại approaching 2.25‑2.45 m. A strong tide from 13‑15 September may push levels to alert 2‑3, raising the risk of widespread inundation. Seasonal projections indicate that several upstream stations could reach or exceed alert 1 by the 2026 flood peak, underscoring the need for vigilant monitoring by residents and authorities.