Thai Agriculture Min assures enough water until July

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Min of Agriculture and Cooperatives assures enough water until July

BANGKOK, 30 March 2016 (NNT) - The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has insisted that there will be enough water for domestic consumption throughout the summer.

Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Gen Chatchai Sarikulya assured the Thai people that the government had put in place measures to handle the drought crisis since last year. The ministry has been working with other relevant units to help those affected by water shortages, especially those living in 22 provinces along the Chao Phraya River.

Gen Chatchai cited a need for the continuous monitoring of water levels in the river, as the Chao Phraya also plays a signicant role in tourism, public transportation and the industrial sector, in addition to household consumption and farming.

It is also important to maintain riparian ecosystems and nearby communities. If the water in the Chao Praya River recedes drastically, around six million people in Bangkok and its surrounding provinces will be severely impacted.

The four major dams that are connected to the Chao Praya River have a combined 2.4 billion cubic meters of usable water. This volume will be used to sustain both the environment and domestic consumption.

The Royal Irrigation Department is confident there will be enough water until July. However, the total volume of water in large dams nationwide is 34.7 billion cubic meters, or 7% less than last year.

To conserve water further, the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority will enforce stricter controls on water distribution in its 25 branches.

Meanwhile, several farmers who have recently begun growing their second batch of off-season rice have been affected by the water shortage. Fortunately, many were able to sustain rice cultivation during their first attempt.


-- NNT 2016-03-30

[worgeordie]

All these ministries and Government officials,including the PM, say

there will be plenty of water till July,I just hope they are correct,but

when things get repeated so often,feel its more hope than fact.

regards Worgeordie

[WhizBang]

Oh good, now I feel soooo much better.

[Hawk]

The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has insisted that there will be enough water for domestic consumption throughout the summer.

My friend's area has had NO domestic water for over 3 weeks now. So more and more lies from this illegal government.

[Borzandy]

In my area many dams are dry since the end of last month. The farmers (those have money) have to dig and pump the water form the groundwater table

[eliotness]

Good, but what happens if the rain doesn't come soon, or if the 2016 rainfall is lower than normal. Our dam has enough water to last the farm until May. I'm concerned our domestic borehole will soon run dry. The assurance from the Ministry is just a hope against hope. But then again if the rain does come in excess then we'll have flood disasters. ?