Drought Situation In Thailand This Year Is Less Severe

[Lite Beer]

Special report: Drought situation in Thailand this year is less severe

By NUPPOL SUVANSOMBUT

Every year, impacts from drought chart the course for Thailand’s agro-industry. With summer approaching, a dry spell shall soon sweep across hundreds of farmland in the country. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives formulated a disaster prevention plan for 2011 already approved by the Cabinet in an effort to help farmers cope against rising costs of production.

The plan can be divided into two phases. The first phase starting in October 2010 which dealt mostly with inundated farms will come to an end in March 2011. In the second phase, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives will focus on cushioning the drought impact and implementing pest controls. During each phase, the 3 common approaches have been adopted by the Ministry. They consist of actions taken prior, during and after the disaster.

Prior to the drought, farmers will be warned in advance of the impact as the construction of water levies are taking off. Under the same plan, farmlands prone to drought will be located and advice will be given to farmers in preparation for the dry spell. More warnings, rescues and damage assessments will be carried out during the disaster by provincial authorities. Meanwhile, financial aids and the rehabilitation program will be boosted once the disaster has gone.

Due to destructive flood last year, food prices and production costs have soared exorbitantly. While costs continue to rise, farmers are prepared to grow more crops in order to keep up with the domestic demands and business costs. According to the Ministry, this year’s drought will be intervened by intermittent rains as a result of La Nina. Although the amount water in the dams is in the safe level at present, the Ministry has forecast the trend to take a different turn later this year.

The water in the storages across the country is 10 billion cubic meters lower compared to last year. None of the provinces in Thailand is at risk of water shortage except for western Thai residents. There is currently only 19% of water left in the dam. The eastern Thailand ranks the highest in water consumption relative to the amount of water in the storage. The central part is closely behind and followed by the northeast, the south and the north of Thailand. The prevention plan was proposed to the Cabinet on 1 February 2011 with an aim to reduce impact and help Thai farmers survive the drought.

-- NNT 2011-02-12

[gotlost]

I hope this article is correct on the drought. But may be I'm missing something. This article says that the water storage is 10 billion cubic meters less than last year. So the drought is over.

[asiawatcher]

If (and it's a big if) the water shortage is less this year, it is certainly by good luck not good management.

[jonclark]

I hope this article is correct on the drought. But may be I'm missing something. This article says that the water storage is 10 billion cubic meters less than last year. So the drought is over.

Absolutly no idea - however the quote "There is currently only 19% of water left in the dam." Would suggest that 81% of the water is missing and therefore the drought is not over. Like yourself totally confused

[slapout]

Is this article a result of a interview with someone in the Ministry of agriculture or some journalist filling up newspaper space? This is the dry season, so forecasting drought at this time of year is kind of premature. Now to say stored water for irrigation purposes is lower than last year which was a drought year is a given.

The career farmers deal with floods, drought, pest, weeds, etc on a yearly basis. Some years are good for the crops and others result in reduced or no crop. The Ministry of Agriculture must be preparing for a request for pocket money or a salary increase as they have not yet determined a profitable price for farm products, even with input from those who know.

[londonthai]

you can't say how the hot season and drought will be like, before even the hot season begins.

if the government is setting the disaster prevention plan, it means that they do expect water shortages.

why there is less water stored this year, despite having recent floods? why "only 19% left in the dam" (which one?) ?

all this doesn't sound right and counting now on La Nina is too early - it will be good, if she comes, but if not, there almost certainly will be drought