All five main reservoirs in Nakhon Ratchasima have begun discharging water for home consumption and agricultural use for the first time since the sluicegates gates were ordered closed last month.
Chidchanok Somprasert, director of Nakhon Ratchasima’s Regional Irrigation Office 8, said on Wednesday the five dam reservoirs were now at an average 47% of capacity following recent steady rain.
This meant the gates could be opened to allow water to be discharged for public consumption and for farm irrigation ahead of the approaching rice harvest.
Water has not been discharged from dams for almost one month due to a long absence of rain. A tropical storm had recently brought heavy rain to the area and the water situation in the province had improved.
The Lam Takhong reservoir in Sikhiu district is holding 135 million cubic metres of water, or 43% of its capacity of 314.49 million cu/m. The reservoir is discharging 170,000 cu/m of water a day.
Lam Phra Ploeng dam reservoir in Pak Thong Chai district has 98 million cu/m, or 89% of its holding capacity of 109 million cu/m. It is discharging 760,000 cu/m a day.
Lam Moon Bon dam in Khon Buri district now has 57 million cu/m, or 40% of its holding capacity of 141 million cu/m, and is discharging 400,000 cu/m a day.
Lam Sae reservoir in Khon Buri has 116 million cu/m, or 42% of its holding capacity of 275 million cu/m. It is discharging 400,000 cu/m a day.
Lam Plaimas reservoir in Soeng Sang district has 56 million cu/m of water, or 57% of its capacity of 98 million cu/m. It is discharging 260,000 cu/m of water a day.
The Regional Irrigation 8 Office has instructed all tap-water production plants in each area to be sure to store raw water supplies to prevent a shortage for tap water production
Mr Chidchanok said the province now has a total of 580.92 million cu/m stored in reservoirs, or 49% of capacity. Usable water stood at 251.22 million cu/m, or 44% of storage capacity.