webfact Posted July 23, 2019 Share Posted July 23, 2019 Urgent meeting on drought measures By The Nation Photo by: The Nation The Office of Water Resources (ONWR) called an urgent meeting of agencies to discuss remedial agriculture remedial measures for next month when rainfall is likely to be low and not replenish the dams. They’re looking at plans to store 3.2 billon mm for future droughts and to open an emergency ad hoc centre to gather and analyse data on the crisis. ONWR has recommended that government agencies immediately push ahead with dredging all waterways and monitoring water usage. After the water resources management committee meeting No. 8/2019, Somkiat Prajumwong, secretary-general of the ONWR), said that the total water reserve was 38.7 billion mm or 47 per cent of full capacity. with the northern region having 9.183 billion, the central region 508 million mm, the Northeast 4.246 million mm, the western region 18.28 million mm, the eastern region 1.120 million mm and the southern region 5.323 billion mm. Groundwater potential was given as 1,228 million cubic mm per month. Three main factors have contributed to the lower water supply compared to previous rainy season. 1. The amount of rainfall in 2018 was 10 – 17-per-cent lower than average; 2. The outflow to 1.2 million rai of over-planted agricultural areas during 2018 – 2019, especially near the Chao Phraya river required 1.5 billion mm or 20 per cent more the water reserved than planned. Finally, rain this year is expected to be down by 30 -40 percent in the north, central and northeast areas, causing the amount of water flowing into the main reservoirs to be considerably less than expected and a need to allocate water from reservoirs to agricultural areas. “Since July 1, the department of meteorology confirmed that the forecast of rainfall in the first half of rainy season will decrease 5 - 10 per cent while the other half will have the close to the average amount of rain with 1-2 great storms predicted to affect Thailand. ONWR’s earlier analysis of the water situation led to an order to coordinate with related agencies in preparing a plan to respond to areas that might be flooded but it has now lowered the estimated outflow. Moreover, ONWR has surveyed agricultural areas damaged by the drought or likely to be in order to provide remedial measures, especially in areas outside the irrigation area, namely 83 district in 20 provinces. The meeting considered the measures to cope with drought during the rainy season and put forward both short-term and long-term measures including the setting up of a temporary ad hoc crisis centre in the central area to integrate with the operations centre of the relevant agencies and the provincial authorities and closely report the situation to the PM. The measures include artificial rain-making in the area above and at the end of the reservoirs, supporting drinking water from nearby water sources in vulnerable areas, accelerating dredging waterways in order to increase the capacity of various water sources especially in 144 areas which have seen repetitive declaring drought and repairing artesian wells. Remedial measures for farmers or people affected by drought will also be introduced, such as compensation, remedies and career building and campaign for economical use of water and raising awareness of the water situation in all sectors. In the short-term, the construction and repair of weirs in the upstream area in 67 provinces at a cost of Bt3 million will be initiated, the rainfall likely will flow in reservoirs will be reviewed, and rainwater replenishing reservoir feeders will be stored as much possible. Any water drained will be reused. Long-term measures include: Accelerating water resources projects based on area and 20-year water master plans 2. Linking water networks in flooded areas and repetitive drought areas to achieve a better water balance 3. Determination of planting areas in accordance with water sources and water cost “Thailand still has a chance to collect water in August for the drought that will occur from November to next April. Our target is to collect 2.3 billon mm of water in the 4 main dams (Bhumibol, Sirikit , Pa Sak Jolasid , and Kwai Noi Bamrung ), which is sufficient for consumption.” Somkiet said. However, the rain is expected to fall outside of the collecting areas, mostly in the central region. With drought a major risk, farmers outside the 33 million rai of rice fields, 10 million of which are in irrigated areas, have been told to postpone planting. Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30373444 -- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2019-07-23 Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking Thailand news and visa info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RotMahKid Posted July 23, 2019 Share Posted July 23, 2019 Would it help an urgent meeting? What would help is NOT the habit to lower the water levels in a reservoir before the rainy season starts. I saw it happening near Lampang. Perhaps they were afraid for the coming rainy season and maybe it's a regular procedure for all water reservoirs? Change your traditional habits! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaxLee Posted July 23, 2019 Share Posted July 23, 2019 No worries, the floods are coming soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sup3r1or Posted July 23, 2019 Share Posted July 23, 2019 It seems that irresponsible farming is a huge contributor here. It said here Thailand is the number 2 exporter of rice in the world. Maybe in this instance it would would be wise to slow down. Make sure its enough for domestic market, its better to have water to drink than to have to much rice and no water to cook it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGW Posted July 23, 2019 Share Posted July 23, 2019 7 minutes ago, sup3r1or said: Maybe in this instance it would would be wise to slow down. While i agree with what you are stating, I would hate to have to be the one who told the millions of farmers that they couldn't grow rice to sell, unsustainable as it is with the current drought. Difficult situation, the last thing the "government" wants is a million farmers protesting in Bangkok! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCC1701A Posted July 23, 2019 Share Posted July 23, 2019 "OK. To stay focused, lets read back the minutes from the previous urgent drought meeting." "No have." "OK. How about the previous urgent flood meeting. Do we have that?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratcatcher Posted July 23, 2019 Share Posted July 23, 2019 It's all about priorities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cerox Posted July 23, 2019 Share Posted July 23, 2019 Does this urgent meeting make use of a leaf blower? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffggi Posted July 23, 2019 Share Posted July 23, 2019 4 hours ago, RotMahKid said: Would it help an urgent meeting? What would help is NOT the habit to lower the water levels in a reservoir before the rainy season starts. I saw it happening near Lampang. Perhaps they were afraid for the coming rainy season and maybe it's a regular procedure for all water reservoirs? Change your traditional habits! Would it also help to enlarge all current catchment areas in preparation for the next drought..??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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