Drought committee gives report to Thai Cabinet

[webfact]

Drought committee gives report to Cabinet

BANGKOK, 13 April 2016 (NNT) – A committee handling the drought situation has informed the Cabinet that water levels this year should be better than last.

Deputy Permanent Secretary for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Lertviroj Kowattana, made known that the 2015/2016 Drought Crisis Resolution Committee today gave a report to the Cabinet on the drought situation and its progress in aiding hose affected.

It reported that the combined water volume of the nation’s 33 major dams is enough for use until July of this year but that suspended usage reduced rice crops to only 5,640,000 Rai from last year’s 8,750,000 Rai.

Nonetheless, the committee pointed out rains will likely be greater this year with rainfall expected as early as the third week of May.

The Water Resource Department reported that it has dug 3,365 groundwater wells and will likely hit its target of 3,416 wells by early May. The wells are expected to alleviate water shortages in 27 provinces.

Meanwhile, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation indicated that proper management has averted problems in the production of drinking water.

Prime Minister Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha asked if the situation affected the government’s water management plan while stating that any projects under the plan that are ready for action be presented by this April 20.


-- NNT 2016-04-13

[thesetat2013]

How can they predict that the rains are going to come early this year? They must have a direct link to mother nature and have been told this inside information. It is no wonder that the upper level gov makes ridiculous statements when they are fed this B.S. from their underlings

[NeilSA1]

How can they predict that the rains are going to come early this year? They must have a direct link to mother nature and have been told this inside information. It is no wonder that the upper level gov makes ridiculous statements when they are fed this B.S. from their underlings

... and its also amazing that they can forecast that "rains will likely be greater this year" than previous year. They must be using some fancy crystal ball.

[Lingba]

Hub of predictions

[noosard]

So even with greater rains expected this year there will be less planting done than last year. Less planting probably due to either lack of water or flooding from the expected greater rains.

[tuanku]

This is just the latest in a set of unlikely "forecasts" presumably derived using the same techniques as are used to predict winning lottery numbers. They started by saying no rain until August, and as the political reality of the drought has kicked in they are gradually bringing it forward and being more optimistic. Now we are at May plus extra rain - as the general says "I have the POWER"

The article might as well say - it May rain............sometime.

[clockman]

Its the fortune tellers fault!

[Muhendis]

Predictions are based on the state of El Nino which this year is expected to bring favourable weather to this part of Asia.

[phoenixdoglover]

Casino gambling in Thailand would be extremely profitable.

[soalbundy]

I have a well in my back garden,Isaan, which for the first time in 10 years is running dry. The pump sometimes gives water and then starts pumping air, bring on the rain

[chainarong]

One wonders just how many reports have been submitted to cabinet over the past decade , no mention of any 25 year planning setting out in detail a projected year by year improvement to supplies by introducing recycled water and desalination by the Thailand water authority, instead of Prayut's relying on private companies to start the recycling process in the BKK area , which would cost the Junta nothing , talk about a cheap skate attitude on what is now a national disgrace, a dereliction of duty of care from the Government and the Water authority. some thing both wouldn't have a clue about............................................................

[Reigntax]

I bet the forecast is watered down.

[SOUTHERNSTAR]

Predictions are based on the state of El Nino which this year is expected to bring favourable weather to this part of Asia.

Sorry but that is not true. SEA normally suffers droughts when a El Nino is in place like at present. When the El Nino decrease in power and we return to a neutral position rainfall return to normal/average. Only when it moves past the neutral position to a La Nina position Thailand receives above average rainfall. In the past we have had El Nino's for 3 raining seasons. The present El Nino have only affected 1 full rainfall season. The decrease in the presents El Nino's strength can thus be reversed or can continue to the neutral position. Only time will tell and any predictions now are only that.

[CGW]

Predictions are based on the state of El Nino which this year is expected to bring favourable weather to this part of Asia.

Unfortunately they can never remember their previous predictions, previous reports have the rains arriving late, in July due to the lingering El Nino which goes to a neutral state then?

[elgordo38]

Its the fortune tellers fault!

Maybe he has figured out a way to article 44 the weather. Go Merlin go

[thaihome]

How can they predict that the rains are going to come early this year? They must have a direct link to mother nature and have been told this inside information. It is no wonder that the upper level gov makes ridiculous statements when they are fed this B.S. from their underlings

... and its also amazing that they can forecast that "rains will likely be greater this year" than previous year. They must be using some fancy crystal ball.

Virtually every model suggests that the current El Niño condition will weaken to neutral by may to July with over a 50% chance of a El Nina condition developing by early fall.

https://www.google.co.th/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/lanina/enso_evolution-status-fcsts-web.pdf&ved=0ahUKEwjHoLam_orMAhVFJZQKHTBTB6MQFggfMAI&usg=AFQjCNEGhr2tHnlsnpaEyTwfQjkL9AdpjQ&sig2=EyUJ__uwvkv4HO85F8nwIA

TH

[Speedo1968]

I have a well in my back garden,Isaan, which for the first time in 10 years is running dry. The pump sometimes gives water and then starts pumping air, bring on the rain

Be careful you don't 'dry pump' your well.

[Duncan Donut]

Save water, dilute it.....

[Duncan Donut]

How can they predict that the rains are going to come early this year? They must have a direct link to mother nature and have been told this inside information. It is no wonder that the upper level gov makes ridiculous statements when they are fed this B.S. from their underlings

I'm reminded of Peter Sellers in 'Being There' where Chauncey, a simple-minded gardener who becomes the President's political advisor with insights such as "First comes spring and summer, but then we have fall and winter. And then we get spring and summer again."

[Dumbastheycome]

Predictions are based on the state of El Nino which this year is expected to bring favourable weather to this part of Asia.

Which for the septic sceptics is based on an international study of weather patterns.

And now the ground is so hard then significant rainfalls will surely cause severe flooding.

That will give the Thai bashing brigade a whole new opportunity.