NAKHON RATCHASIMA --Lam Takhong Dam reservoir in Sikhiu district is far below capacity and there will not be enough water for farmers in five districts to grow a second rice crop, governor Wichien Chantaranothai said on Thursday.
Mr Wichien said Lam Takhong Dam -- the main source for general use and tap water production in Sikhiu, Sung Noen, Kham Thaleso, Chalerm Phra Kiat and Muang districts -- now holds 119 million cubic metres of water, only 37.87% of its rated capacity.
Therefore, it was agreed at a recent meeting of water users in the Lam Takhong Dam basin that the dam would release a maximum of 432,000 cubic metres of water per day from Dec 1 to April 30 for general consumption and to maintain the ecological system.
The meeting also resolved that farmers on about 150,000 rai of fields below the dam should not grow a second rice crop, and instead plant crops which need little water. Water released from the dam would be reserved mainly for general consumption.
The Nakhon Ratchasima Municipal waterworks would draw on 50,000 cubic metres of water a day from Lam Takhong Dam and 40,000 cubic metres from Lam Sae Dam for tap water production.
To retain water for use during the coming dry season, the chiefs of all districts had been instructed to build small weirs on every steam in their area, the governor said.