A view of Lam Takhong Dam in Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand. (Photo: Panoramio) Bangkok (VNA) – There is adequate water supply for the dry season in Thailand in 2017 while only some areas of the country will face water shortage, according to the Thai Hydro and Agro Informatics Institute.
About 34 dams and reservoirs in Thailand will supply enough water for the dry season. An estimated 20 billion cubic metres of water have been reserved this year, up 8 billion cubic metres from a year earlier, to ensure adequate daily water supply for local residents, according to the institute.
It is unlikely for severe drought to happen this year, the institute’s Director Royon Jitdon has said, cautioning that the residents should use water wisely.
The Meteorological Department announced that the summer had begun on March 3.
Prior to that, many parts of the country were facing water shortage. It was reported that water levels at the Lam Takhong Dam, in Nakhon Ratchasima province, the main reservoir of central Thailand, were down to 24 percent of total capacity.
The areas most likely to face water shortage are in Nakhon Ratchasima and Chaiyaphum provinces because the water reserve in these areas is low. Other four areas on the water-shortage watch list include Ban Bueng district in Chon Buri province, Loeng Nok Tha district in Yasothon, Nang Rong district in Buri Ram, and Phan district in Chiang Rai.
The Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives on March 10 banned the third round of rice growing across the country. Each round of rice growing takes about 100 days to yield crops. Authorities have been trying to encourage farmers to grow rice only during the rainy season to avoid the risk of water shortage.-VNA
VNA
