The Eastern Artificial Rainmaking Operations Center Will Be Opened On Feb 14th

The eastern artificial rainmaking operations center will be opened on Feb 14th

The Permanent Secretary for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Mr. Banpot Hongthong (บรรพต หงษ์ทอง), has disclosed that the Ministry is preparing to open the eastern artificial rainmaking center at U-tapao Airport on February 14th.

Regarding a prediction that Thailand would face another round of drought crisis this year, Mr. Banpot argued that the forecast must have been made without factual information as the Irrigation Department's data showed the combined volume of reserved water in dams across the country is at the highest level in 10 years.

He insisted that this year’s drought would not pose a major concern for the Ministry, particuluarly in irrigated areas, because the Royal Irrigation Department has well prepared the water supply.

He, however, recommended against cultivation outside the irrigated zones during the dry season. Water shortage in the latter areas will be solved with the help of the royal artificial rainmaking centers.

Generally speaking, the Permanent Secretary said, the eastern provinces of Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat should not face water shortage for cultivation due to the presence of Pra-sae (ประแสร์) Reservoir in Rayong Province, which currently holds 200 million cubic meters of water. Moreover, the Bang Pakong (บางปะกง) River which runs through the region provides supporting water source.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 06 February 2007