The water level at the Phimai Dam in Nakhon Ratchasima's Phimai district now stands at 30 percent of its holding capacity. (Source: Bangkok Post) Bangkok (VNA) – Thai authorities have urged 31 out of 77 provinces andadministrative areas nationwide to brace for severe drought in 2020.
The Provincial Water Authority (PWA) warned drought might affect 61 waterproduction facilities covering 82 districts of 31 provinces, including 15 inthe Northeast, nine in the North, six in the South and one in the East.
The facilities have begun digging wells to tap underground water as analternative source, according to the PWA.
The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) is assisting efforts to dig 524 wells withthe coordination of the Armed Forces Development Command, Royal Thai Army andDepartment of Groundwater Resources.
Besides, the Department of Local Administration has discovered 232 surfacewater sources which can be used to help meet demand in the outer provinces.
Meanwhile, the Hydro-Informatics Institute has warnedof severe saltwater intrusion into the Chao Phraya River between January andMarch, which will affect tap water production.
Prinya Yamasamit, head of the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA), said theMWA and the RID are experimenting with hydraulic pressure to drive salt waterback out to sea./.
VNA
