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 2017while only some areas of the country will face water shortage, according to theThai Hydro and Agro Informatics Institute.
About 34 dams andreservoirs in Thailand will supply enough water for the dry season. Anestimated 20 billion cubic metres of water have been reserved this year, up 8billion cubic metres from a year earlier, to ensure adequate daily water supplyfor local residents, according to the institute.
It is unlikely forsevere drought to happen this year, the institute’s Director Royon Jitdon hassaid, cautioning that the residents should use water wisely.
The MeteorologicalDepartment announced that the summer had begun on March 3.
Prior to that, manyparts of the country were facing water shortage. It was reported that waterlevels at the Lam Takhong Dam, in Nakhon Ratchasima province, the main reservoirof central Thailand, were down to 24 percent of total capacity.
The areas most likelyto face water shortage are in Nakhon Ratchasima and Chaiyaphum provincesbecause the water reserve in these areas is low. Other four areas on thewater-shortage watch list include Ban Bueng district in Chon Buri province,Loeng Nok Tha district in Yasothon, Nang Rong district in Buri Ram, and Phandistrict in Chiang Rai.
The Minister ofAgriculture and Cooperatives on March 10 banned the third round of rice growingacross the country. Each round of rice growing takes about 100 days to yieldcrops. Authorities have been trying to encourage farmers to grow rice onlyduring the rainy season to avoid the risk of water shortage.-VNA
VNA
