PHOTO: Bhumibol Thought-provoking in Tak when full, now holding only 4% of capacity
The Royal Irrigation Department is assuring farmers and residents in the central and north-east that there is no threat of Thailand of extreme water shortages. This is despite little rain in some areas through the annual moist season and the low ranges of the Chao Phraya River basin’s 4 major dams.
The Department stories that…
• Bhumibol Dam in Tak province had 682 million cubic metres, a mere 4% of capability
• Sirikit Dam in Uttaradit province contained 391 million cubic metres, once more only 4% capability
• Kwae Noi Dam in Phitsanulok province had 80 million cubic metres or 8%
• Pa Sak Jolasid Dam in Lop Buri province had 35 million cubic metres or 4%
This meant a combined 1.18 billion cubic metres of water was available to be used from the 4 dams.
Despite the alarming figures, an Irrigation Department spokesperson told the public not to panic and warranted the nation wouldn’t undergo a important water scarcity in 40 days as had been rumoured and reported.
“There is still some rainfall and water pouring into the dams each day. Compared to the state of affairs in 2015 when dams may release only 18 million cubic metres of water a day for consumption, this year’s situation remains to be higher.”
He urged people to keep away from wasting water as a precaution in opposition to a crisis that might rise as weather was unpredictable.
Profit on the Chao Phraya River basin’s upland have been requested to postpone their rice planting till the rainfall becomes steady to forestall injury to crops..