Phuket Watches Reservoir Levels as Dry Spell Raises Pressure

Phuket is facing growing concern over its water supply as officials wait for the rainy season to arrive. The island currently has around 12 million cubic metres of raw water in its reservoirs, which is only a little over half of full capacity. Provincial authorities say that amount should last until the end of June, provided consumption stays manageable and the rains arrive on schedule. Forecasts suggest the southern rainy season should begin around April 20 or, at the latest, early May, which would bring badly needed relief. Even so, Phuket’s mountainous terrain continues to make reservoir expansion and flood management difficult, leaving the island vulnerable when dry periods drag on.

I would have thought a mountainous terrain would have been ideal for constructing reservoirs?

38 minutes ago, MIke B Bad said:

I would have thought a mountainous terrain would have been ideal for constructing reservoirs?

Well, that's a reason why there are a limited number of reservoirs. Mountainous terrain of limestone doesn't lend itself to building large reservoirs.

The water shortages have been a news item for the past 25+ years. Overdevelopment, waste, and leakage from the distribution system, worsens the problem. Ground wells are contaminated as sewage seeps in. There isn't enough natural water to meet the local demand.