Authorities are stepping up artificial rainmaking efforts to combat drought and haze in the North.
The Yom River is mostly dry, with the river bed littered with dead fish and other aquatic creatures in Bang Rakam district of Phitsanulok. CHINNAWAT SINGHA
Northern Royal Rainmaking Centre chief Anuphap Phawawattananuson said yesterday the agency is conducting rainmaking activities twice a day in the northern provinces of Phrae, Nan, Lamphun, Lampang, Tak, Chiang Rai, Uttaradit and Sukhothai.
Mr Anuphap, said these rainmaking activities will continue until tomorrow. A new rainmaking command centre will be officially launched on March 1, he said. Five aircraft will be used for cloud-seeding.
Mr Anuphap said large areas of the North are experiencing haze from bush fires and drought. Many waterways and rivers are drying up, which is causing problems for more households and farmers, he added.
Meanwhile, the water level in the reservoir served by Bhumibol dam in Tak’s Sam Ngao district has dropped to 47.45% of its capacity, or 6,387.52 million cubic metres. Only 2,587.52 million cu m of water can be used now.
Dam director Pisut Chokkatiwat said yesterday the water level in what is one of the country’s largest reservoirs is near critical. The reservoir should have at least 4,000 million cu m in reserve for consumption and agriculture at this time of year — the onset of the dry season which normally lasts several months.
The dam is releasing less water, according to officials. About 15 million cu m of water per day, instead of the normal 20 million cu m, is being released, Mr Pisut said.
The dam could cut the amount of water released further if no significant volume of water flows into the reservoir, Mr Pisut said.
Meanwhile, Nakhon Ratchasima governor Vinai Buapradit said yesterday the province has been hit hard and early by severe drought.
Authorities are ready to open local drought relief centres across 32 districts to deal with the water shortage, which is predicted to become more serious in the weeks ahead, according to local officials.
Provincial officials will work with the 2nd Army Region and police to supply drinking water for local people.
Farmers in the province have been advised not to conduct off-season rice cultivation, but grow drought-tolerant crops which use minimal amounts of water instead, he said.
Mr Vinai also appealed to people in upstream areas near the reservoir to show consideration to those living downstream.
If they take a lot of water for farming, there will not be enough water for people downstream, he said.