Drought comes early this year as water level in Mekong drops

NONG KHAI, 5 January 2014 (NNT) – Drought has come early this year as the water level in the Mekong River is reportedly below 3 meters.

The Mekong River in Nong Khai Province is experiencing reduced flows with the water level standing at 2.81 meters, causing the base of Phrathat Klang Nam to be visible.

However, according to the Department of Water Resources, the water level measured this year was still 5-6 centimeters higher than the average amount of water recorded in the past 50 years, despite a continuous drop.

The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) earlier came out to reveal that the water levels in major dams such as Bhumibol and Sirikit were also declining, while calling on farmers to slow down their off-season cultivation.


-- NNT 2014-02-05

8 districts of Chanthaburi declared drought disaster zones

BANGKOK, 5 January 2014 (NNT) – Eight districts of Chanthaburi Province have been declared drought disaster zones as nearly 44,000 families are struggling without water.

According to the provincial governor of Chanthaburi, several areas in 8 different districts have been declared drought-hit zones, while nearly 44,000 families, or around 114,000 residents, are now facing water scarcity.

The provincial governor has, therefore, ordered local authorities to speed up assistance for the victims as well as to set up a drought prevention and mitigation center to assist those in need.

However, he assured that the amount of water in the 3 province’s major dams will be sufficient for consumption and cultivation until April.


-- NNT 2014-02-05

Drought ,one must laugh at the term used here in Thailand ,go live in the outback of Australia to see what real drought is .

Is the shortage of water caused by the dams in China and Laos? If there is a drought in Esan, the farmers can not grow rice, and the government does not pay them the money they are owed, they will lose there land to the Banks and money lenders. This is when you will see an upheaval of Esan farmers, rebelling against the PTP, and there will be a peoples coup. There will also be a migration to Dubai.

Lucky there is a few tons of rice in storage. Nobody will go hungry in this drought.

Lucky there is a few tons of rice in storage. Nobody will go hungry in this drought.

How you cook rice?

CP is also at the lowest level I have ever seen it and the farmers are pumping water out of the klongs at great speed.

It is suppose to be dry at this time of the year. The rainy season starts in May and then again in October.

The sad part is, the Mekong is still higher than normal for this time of year.

The provinces affected are because the dams are empty, and have little flow.

Why is that?

Because they were emptied to below 30% each, in November, just in case a storm or 2 came, when there was little need to drop water level below 60%.

In Nov the Dams were again at tilting point because nothing had been released during the previous 3 months, to cater for Dec rice planting, and because PTP were shit scared of possible floods coming to BKK if they were permitted to over fill. Threats of flooding came to BKK, and everybody in BKK shat. A large amount, yet again, was gated to Ayutthaya and Phatum.

It has not been a dry season at all.... rain has been adamant, and dams have had opportunity to fill. Nothing to do with Mekong levels... just pure water lack of administration again....... because the 350 Million baht put into the PTP back pockets, did not permit investment into ANY flood controls, as promised.

Another PTP piece of shit. Blame the Mekong..... but not the dosh that was pocketed.

Getting sick of the PTP bullshit being spewed by the hour!

-m.

Drought ,one must laugh at the term used here in Thailand ,go live in the outback of Australia to see what real drought is .

They meant lack of water...not lack of girls

Drought coming earlier is a real problem

Waiting for the PM to be blamed.......

never a shortage of water, just a shortage of storage and transportation