Water released from major dams reduced to conserve water

BANGKOK, 15 September 2015 (NNT)-The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) has decided to lower the amount of water discharged from 4 major dams in an attempt to conserve water.

According to RID Director General Lertwiroj Kowattana, water discharged daily from Bhumibol Dam has been lowered from 4 million cubic meters to 3 million cubic meters. Sirikit Dam is now releasing 5 million cubic meters of water into the streams, down from the daily 9 million cubic meters.

As for Kwae Noi Bamrung Dan and Pasak Cholasit Dams, the amount of water released has been equally reduced to 0.9 million cubic meters per day, whereas the amount of water discharged from Chao Praya Dam has been reduced from 70 to 65 cubic meters per second, the Director-General said.

The decision came after more rainfall had been reported across Thailand, coupled with the fact that only a small amount of water would be needed during harvest time.


-- NNT 2015-09-15

I just went for a drive to look at the dam near my house. I have seen it higher at the end of dry season. I feel if we donot get more here where I am we maynot make it through the dry season this year.

The dam operator’s dilemma, damned if you do and damned if you don't.

The need to keep precious water for human consumption offset against the need to prevent flooding or meet environmental flow requirements or even hydro-electricity needs.

Unfortunately, releases from dams last year (prior to a below-average rainy season) have come back to bite them big time!

Compounding the problem, if you believe that Thailand is to receive an influx of tourists (http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/855976-thailand-set-for-record-tourism-year/?utm_source=newsletter-20150915-1404&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=news), then the demand for water is likely to skyrocket.

Tourists use a lot more water than locals (anything up to 16 times as much - http://growingblue.com/case-studies/water-shortage-and-tourism/.; http://www.adventuretravelnews.com/charity-condemns-tourists-use-of-fresh-water-in-developing-countries.

So, Thailand is in for a tough time with water shortages until well into 2016 (by which time the current El Niño pattern is likely to finally weaken).