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DROUGHT
Good news for farmers: downpour in north, northeast
The Nation


Rain eases drought, prompts water release for farms in 3 provinces

BANGKOK: -- THE Irrigation Department is preparing to release more water for rice farmers in irrigated areas of Ayutthaya, Lop Buri and Sing Buri provinces following heavy rainfall in the North and Northeast over the past several days that boosted water reserve levels in major dams.

Suthep Noipairote, deputy head of the Irrigation Department, said the initial water discharge was aimed at paddy fields in the three provinces to help crop survival.

Earlier, the government cut the volume released from dams for farming to conserve water for household use.

Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda said the water resources management panel would review the amount of water being released from the Bhumiphol, Sirikit, Pasak Cholasit, and Kwai Noi dams. It was earlier cut from 28 million cubic metres per day to 18 million cubic metres, a move that affected 22 provinces downstream.

The Department of Agriculture Extension, meanwhile, will seek Cabinet approval for Bt400 million to help rice farmers whose paddy fields were damaged by the water cut-off.

Suthep said rice farmers as well as fruit and orchid growers in Ayutthaya, Sing Buri and Lop Buri should get additional water by tomorrow with damaged paddy fields estimated to be less than 1.4 million rai, now that the prospects of heavy rainfall by August have improved. Previously, there were worries the water shortage would worsen if the seasonal rains did not come next month.

Suthep said the situation at major dams such as Bhumiphol and Sirikit had improved with an inflow of 19 million cubic metres and 119 million cubic metres, respectively. And the level of the Chao Phraya dam is now 13.8 metres above the median sea level, resulting in an inflow for the Chai Nat-Pasak waterway, which supplies water for tap water production in Saraburi and Lop Buri provinces.

In Phitsanulok province, Somwang Parasuksan, director of the Kwai Noi Dam, said the water reserve level had risen following heavy rain over the past few days with a daily inflow of more than 1-2 million cubic metres. Yesterday the dam had a total of 100 million cubic metres, 57.5 million cubic metres of which was "useable".

In Lop Buri province, the situation is still worrying because several hundred households do not have enough water for consumption and daily use.

Olarn Pitak, director-general of the Department of Agriculture Extension, said the government would provide loans to rice farmers affected by the drought so they could diversify to other crops that use less water.

Farmers will be charged an interest rate of only 2 per cent per annum. The funds would come from a Bt400 million budget to be sought from the government.

Meanwhile, the government has accelerated implementation of the groundwater programme with a target to dig a total of 1,000 artesian wells for one million rai of farmland. So far, there are wells for only 66,000 rai of farmland.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Good-news-for-farmers-downpour-in-north-northeast-30264854.html


-- The Nation 2015-07-21

[diehard60]

Still not enough rain for the northeast.

[GaryB1263]

It's been raining for days near Sakon Nakhon.

[SOUTHERNSTAR]

The amount of rain is irrelevant, how much did the water level of the dams increased with is the important figure.

[Seastallion]

Ok....everyone can go and waste water again, now. Crisis over.

[ginjag]

It's been raining for days near Sakon Nakhon.

For the past 2 weeks we have had massive downpours and thunderstorms here in Udon.

A bit late with the good news arn't we.

[godden]

Water management, now that's is funny.

[halloween]

The amount of rain is irrelevant, how much did the water level of the dams increased with is the important figure.

Yet again http://www.thaiwater.net/DATA/REPORT/php/rid_dam_1.php?lang=en

[webfact]

Rains bring in hope for farmers in the North



BANGKOK: -- The Royal Irrigation Department yesterday forecast the current severe drought situation will gradually improve with the arrival of increased rains in many parts of the country, particularly in the northern region.

It confidently estimates a marked improvement in the overall drought situation in many provinces as widespread rains has provided a massive influx of water supplies to many major dams in the country.

Rain has been reported in many critical parts of the country such as in the lower northern regions and certain parts of the northern central plain which will provide much needed relief to drought stricken provinces.

It said recent rains have brought a rise in the water level of various dams.

The water level of the Kwai Noi Bumrungdaen dam, one of the four major dams that supplies water into the irrigation system in the Chao Phraya river basin yesterday had increased by 1.9 million cubic metres, and now exceeds the 100 million cubic metres while rejuvenating the agricultural sector in the northern region.

About 57 million cubic metres of water can be distributed to the local population; the amount is equivalent to 10.71 percent of its total 939 million cubic metres capacity.

The increased volume of water is attributed to recent rainfalls in several districts in Phitsanulok Province. The Kwai Noi Bumrungdaen dam discharges about 1.7 million cubic metres of water daily.

Meanwhile, farmers in the provinces of Phrae and Nan have resumed rice farming operations after the recent rain.

Phrae has already declared its eight districts drought free.

According to the Irrigation Department, it has discharged water for both consumption and agricultural purposes, since rainfall replenished the water levels in Bhumibol and Chao Phraya dams.

It said farmlands that had already planted seed longer than six weeks ago, would receive water first. It assured the public that the agency would continue to monitor the situation closely.

But it said only the lower central plains remains a concern with no rains yet being reported which will require official intervention in the form of water rationing.

Meanwhile the arrival of heavy rains in the region of the Khao Yai National Park was greeted with great relief as it will serve to replenish severely depleted water supplies at the Khun Daan Prakarnchon Dam in Nakorn Nayok province.

Is estimated that this recent rainfall will supply in excess of 1,300,000 cubic meters of water to the dam and officials commented that if the rains continue to fall at this rate, the national drought situation will soon abate.

But many residents in certain parts of the country are still badly affected by severe water shortage for example in Uthai-thani where there have been reports of rice farmers and fresh water fish farms competing for limited water supply at the Khao Khee Foi Mountain natural well.

Authorities had to step in to mediate by setting up a committee to ensure quotas are fairly distributed.

In the central region, a major flashflood hit the Wang Takrai and Nang Rong waterfalls in Nakhon Nayok province and was preceded by heavy rains which fell up until late this evening.

The arrival of the murky fast flowing water of the flashflood was signaled by a change in the colors of the falls which is normally clear.

Fortunately, there were no reports of either villagers or tourists being injured and authorities have now issued a notice forbidding entry into the falls.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/rains-bring-in-hope-for-farmers-in-the-north


-- Thai PBS 2015-07-21

[ikke]

Shit, now they need something else than the water to blame the prior governments.

[NickJ]

From feast to famine.......Well at least all the thousands of golf courses are mostly green.............

[mango66]

It's been raining for days near Sakon Nakhon.

For the past 2 weeks we have had massive downpours and thunderstorms here in Udon.

A bit late with the good news arn't we.

GVT restricted water from Dams before 1 week,

now u come out, that you have rain already for 2 weeks,

and still enforcing tax payers money for compensation !!

Is this an Order from Dubai for the RED devils ??

[mango66]

So did they got already new Order from Dubai to claim out tax money for flood damages ???

[Sooo Upto Me]

Water management, now that's is funny.

Is that a pic of u on ur profile with a ladyboy?

She looks rather large haha.

Edited July 21, 2015 by Sooo Upto Me

[GaryB1263]

It's been raining for days near Sakon Nakhon.

For the past 2 weeks we have had massive downpours and thunderstorms here in Udon.

A bit late with the good news arn't we.

Yes. I should have brought the subject up sooner.

My buddy has a house and he is sick of the rain already. His roof(Brand New) is leaking and the water is washing his new yard away.

The Thai repairman said he wouldn't work on the roof if there is a chance of rain.

[ramrod711]

Shit, now they need something else than the water to blame the prior governments.

Blaming any government for lack of rainfall is pointless. Blaming previous governments for wasted opportunities in resource management and conservation is fair game. Once again apologists for the the Shin dynasty refuse to see that they can't speak of the 4 straight election victories without acknowledging that those governments are to be held responsible for their records. Give credit and blame to those who are due it.

[MaxLee]

Rains bring in hope for farmers in the North

or in or in other words .... if there's a drought, let it flood and screw the rest of Thailand

Get ready for a DRASTIC CLIMATE CHANGE or in other words super rainy season

[BSJ]

What a difference a day makes!

[halloween]

Shit, now they need something else than the water to blame the prior governments.

Are you under the (false) impression that this problem is over?