Cabinet meeting approves budget for 144 projects to increase the number of catchments to alleviate drought crisis
As it is predicted that the amount of rain this year will be less than that of last year, the cabinet meeting today approved a mid-year budget of about 1.22 billion baht for 144 projects to increase the number of catchments and the quantity of water stored, to lessen the impact of drought.
The cabinet has approved a 2019 mid-year budget of 1.22 billion baht, seeking to increase the number of catchments and the amount of water available, to alleviate the annual drought crisis, as well as store a greater quantity of water in the rainy season. The Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) has proposed that the target area be determined and 10 relevant agencies be invited to a meeting to discuss immediate solutions to the drought crisis. As a mid-term solution to the problem, the target areas are divided into four types of drought-affected provinces. With 18 provinces at risk, there are water shortage risk areas in non-irrigated zones in nine provinces, and drought-prone areas in 11 provinces. The projects must be completed in 90 days.
Ubonrat Dam in Khon Kaen currently contains 586 million cubic meters of water. Over five million cubic meters of water, equivalent to zero percent can be used for consumption, so water drainage has to be reduced to 500,000 cubic meters of water per day to help preserve the ecosystem.
Khon Kaen Provincial Committee of the Water Management Committee, has therefore arranged to use water from the bottom of the dam next week, until it rains. It is expected that up to 120 million cubic meters of water will be needed.
In Nakhon Si Thammarat, the 4th Army Area delivered 1500-liter water tanks to the Nakhon Si Thammarat Community Karnkheha Village in Pak Phun subdistrict, after the leader of villagers submitted a complaint to the Damrongtham Center saying that nearly 500 households in the community are faced with a shortage in water for consumption.
The 4th Army Area also brought eight water trucks containing over 50,000 liters of water to be distributed to the public in order to provide initial assistance to them. The villagers in the community thanked the 4th Army Area, Nakhon Si Thammarat and other agencies for their help.
Royal rainmaking operations in Nakhon Si Thammarat resulted in rain in 40 percent of the area for two consecutive days which benefited agricultural areas, increased the volume of water in various streams, especially upstream areas in Luang Mountain and should relieve the symtoms of drought for a while.
