Water shortages: Thai govt mulls halting Central Plains rice farming amid anticipated drought

[webfact]

 

In a bid to counteract the effects of a potential drought, the central government of Thailand is contemplating the suspension of rice cultivation in the Central Plains region. This proposal comes alongside the potential establishment of a command centre to combat reduced rainfall and water shortages.

 

The Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) initiated this conversation, citing apprehensions about the forecasted decrease in this year’s nationwide rainfall. Surasri Kidtimonton, the secretary-general of the ONWR, expressed worry that the rainfall for the year has fallen below average, sparking prospects of a more arid rainy season.

 

He further mentioned that the Central Plains, which is considered the country’s primary rice-farming area, may be the most affected. With predictions indicating a whopping 40% decline in accumulated precipitation this rainy season, the region may be hard-hit with large-scale water shortages.

Current water levels in the country’s four principal dams – Bhumibol in Tak, Sirikit in Uttaradit, Kwae Noi Bamrung Dan in Phitsanulok and Pasak Jolasid in Lop Buri – have plummeted, holding only 9,617 million cubic metres of water, which serves as 39% of their total storage capacity. Worryingly, only 2,921 million cubic metres of the available is deemed useable at the moment, signifying considerable water shortages in the region.

 

by Mitch Connor

Thailand's central plains, Istock.

 

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thai-government-mulls-halting-central-plains-rice-farming-amid-anticipated-drought

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-08-02

 

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[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

In a bid to counteract the effects of a potential drought, the central government of Thailand is contemplating the suspension of rice cultivation in the Central Plains region. This proposal comes alongside the potential establishment of a command centre to combat reduced rainfall and water shortages.

A command centre.. haha

[happysoul]

My post is not bringing anything to the topic but just wanted to say that the picture looks more like a northern valley than the central plain region

[Crossy]

Makes note to self.

 

Order sand and sandbags to prepare for flooding when "unexpected" storms arrive and fill the dams to danger level.

 

 

 

[Crossy]

52 minutes ago, happysoul said:

My post is not bringing anything to the topic but just wanted to say that the picture looks more like a northern valley than the central plain region

 

Yeah, it's an Istock image, "Thailand Central plain, Kanchanaburi" taken from the linked article. I agree, not particularly flat and plain like