NAKHON RATCHASIMA: Water levels in five major reservoirs in this northeastern province remain at just 28% of their holding capacities, but authorities hope tropical storm Nuri will help ease the problem.
Even though the rainy season is now under way, the amount of rainfall volume flowing into some reservoirs was still very small, according to Kiarttisak Nukaew, director of Regional Irrigation Office 8.
As of Saturday, he said, the five major reservoirs — Lam Takhong, Mun Bon, Lam Sae, Lam Phra Ploeng and Lam Nang Rong — held just 182.19 million cubic metres of water, or 18.1% of their combined capacity of 1,006.9 million cu m.
In the same week last year, the five reservoirs held twice as much water, 362.65 million cu m, as they do now, he added.
On Friday, only 96,000 cu m of water flowed into the reservoirs, but 175,000 cu m per day had to be discharged, he said.
Lam Takhong in Si Khiu ditrict currently contains 88.67 million cu m, or 28.2% of its capacity. Mun Bon in Khon Buri district holds 24.42 million cu m (17.3%) and Lam Sae in the same district has 38.09 million cu m (13.85%). Lam Phra Ploeng in Pak Thong Chai district holds 13 million cu m (13%); and Lam Nang Rong in Soeng Sang district has 18.03 million cu m (14.85%).
Mr Kiarttisak said high amounts of rainfall were needed to fill up the five reservoirs.
The Meteorological Department predicts that tropical storm Nuri, which formed in the South China Sea on Friday, will bring heavy rain to Nakhon Ratchasima on Sunday and Monday.
At Mun Bon reservoir in Khon Buri district, water storage is just 17.3% of capacity.