CHAI NAT -- There is sufficient water stored in four main dams and the Royal Irrigation Department will begin supplying water for rice farmers to plant crops in low-lying areas of the Central provinces early next month, 12th Irrigation Office director Suchart Charoensri said.
Mr Suchart said Bhumibol Dam currently holds 5,857 million cubic metres of water, of which 2,057m c/m is usable; Sirikit Dam 5,073m c/m, with 2,223m c/m usable; Kwae Noi Bamrung Daen Dam 344m c/m, with 300m c/m usable; and, Pasak Jolasid Dam 299m c/m, with 296m c/m usable.
The total amount of water in the four dams is 4,876 million cubic metres. According to the office's water management plan, 3,000 million cubic metres of water is needed for agriculture.
The Royal Irrigation Department will begin to supply water for rice farming in low-lying areas in early May. The supply of water to higher areas will begin about two weeks later, he said.