An undated CK Power-issued photo shows shows the Xayaburi dam hydro project on a swollen Mekong river in Laos, but independent images taken downstream paint a different picture AFP/Handout

BANGKOK: A multi-billion dollar hydro-electric power plant on the Mekong river in Laos was officially switched on Tuesday (Oct 29), as drone images of dried-up downstream areas stirred fresh outcry on one of the world's great rivers.