Bangkok, Minister Thammanat calls an urgent meeting. Urges the Royal Irrigation Department to help farmers. Relief from drought problems, emphasizing the use of “Phirunrat Center” in every province as a center for receiving complaints from farmers. The Meteorological Department predicted that The rainy season will start on the 4th week of May and there may be some rain. The Royal Irrigation Department plans water management in the rainy season. Ready to accept both low water and high water conditions. As for the salinity value at the Samlae raw water pumping point progressively better

Captain Thammanat Phromphao, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, held an urgent meeting at the Royal Irrigation Department to monitor the water situation throughout the country. with Mr. Chuchat Rakchit, Director-General of the Royal Irrigation Department, reporting on the water management plan. Including drought relief in various areas.

Captain Thammanat ordered the Royal Irrigation Department to proactively resolve the
water situation due to extremely hot weather conditions throughout the dry season, affecting many areas where crops were about to be released. Not getting enough water Therefore, urgent assistance is given to farmers. By mobilizing machinery, tools, and personnel to solve farmers’ problems with all their might. Until the situation returns to normal.

In addition, use the “Phirunrat Agricultural Service Center” in every province as a center to receive reports of farmers’ distress from drought. By emphasizing the signage clearly. When notified Let the relevant agencies solve the problem immediately.

At the same time, he also emphasized irrigation projects throughout the country. Follow the weather conditions and closely monitor the water situation during the rainy season. To prevent damage from occurring as much as possible.

Mr. Chuchat Rakjit, Director-General of the Royal Irrigation Department, said that Dry season crops have been harvested 100% for the rainy season water management plan 2024, starting on 1
May and ending on 31 October 2024, both for preserving the ecosystem. Consumption, agriculture, and others throughout the country total 14,821 million cubic meters, only in the Chao Phraya River Basin. There is a plan to allocate approximately 4,949 million cubic meters of water, which the Royal Irrigation Department will send water to support the cultivation of annual rice in low-lying areas. So that farmers can start planting rice from May 1 and harvest their produce before the flood season arrives to reduce the impact of flooding on crops.

The Meteorological Department predicts that Thailand enters the rainy season during the 4th week of May and from mid-June to mid-July. There may be a period of missed rain or little rain. This may cause water shortage problems in some areas. Especially areas outside the irrigation area Therefore, farmers are asked to use rainwater as the main basis for agriculture. By waiting for consistent rain before preparing the rice cultivation plots to help save on water use from
the reservoir. Including reserving water during the rainy season.

For the period August to October 2024, it is expected that the amount of rain will increase due to entering the La Niña condition. The Meteorological Department expects that There may be 1-2 tropical cyclones during the rainy season that will result in heavy to very heavy rain in many areas. Flash floods may occur. Flash flood Including water overflowing the banks. Therefore, he urged irrigation projects throughout the country to closely monitor and monitor the water situation. along with managing water in various reservoirs To be able to support the amount of rain that will fall. Drainage appropriate to the situation including regularly inspecting irrigation buildings Keep it in a ready-to-use condition at all times. In addition, check the drainage route. Remove water obstructions regularly. Ready to strictly follow the 10 measures to cope with the rain in 2024 as approved by the National Water Resources Committee (NHC). In order to be able t
o cope with this upcoming rainy season. to its full potential

Mr. Thanet Somboon, Director of the Office of Water Management and Hydrology, said that Currently, there is a large reservoir with a small usable water volume. Equal to or less than 30 percent in 16 places: Bhumibol Dam has 29 percent water, Sirikit has 19 percent water, Kiew Kho Ma has 28 percent water, Khwae Noi Bamrung Daen has 26 percent, Mae Mok Kok has 20 percent, and Pung water. has 27 percent, Chulabhorn has 13 percent, Ubonrat has 21 percent, Lam Takhong has 29 percent, Sirindhorn has 22 percent, Pa Sak Jolasit has 15 percent, and Krasiao has 15 percent. 7 Khun Dan Prakan Chon has 17 percent water, Khlong Si Yat has 3 percent water, Phra Phra has 29 percent water, and Pranburi has 20 percent water. Medium-sized reservoirs with low levels of water are Equal to or less than 30 percent, there are 108 places.

The water situation in large and medium sized reservoirs across the country (information as of 3 May 2024) has a total water volume of
41,458 million cubic meters, accounting for 54 percent. The usable water volume is 17,516 million cubic meters. Representing 33 percent compared to 2023, which had 43,744 million cubic meters, this year less than 2,286 million cubic meters.

As for the salinity situation around the Samlae raw water pumping station, Mueang District, Pathum Thani Province, which was affected by the high sea level during 25-30 April, causing it to exceed the standard at 0.50 grams per liter during some periods. This time is resolved in order. The Royal Irrigation Department increased water drainage from the Tha Chin River into the Chao Phraya River to dilute the salinity. At the same time, coordinate with the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority to reduce water pumping into the system during periods when the salinity value exceeds the standard criteria. As for the range that does not exceed the standard Increase the amount pumped into the system to dilute it so as not to cause a change in the taste of tap water that supplies the ar
eas of Bangkok, Nonthaburi, and Samut Prakan.

This morning (May 4) at 6:00 a.m., the salinity value of raw water pumped from Samlae was 0.36 grams per liter, compared to the same period yesterday (May 3) which was 0.53 grams per liter, which decreased. However, during the day it may There were some periods when the standard value was exceeded by 0.50 grams per liter, but the period of exceedance was found to have decreased. From May 1, when the standard exceeded 12 hours per day, yesterday it was reduced to 4 hours per day.

In addition, the amount of water released from the Chao Phraya Dam has been increased. To push out saltwater during the new high sea level on 10-11 May, and will also consider increasing water drainage from the Pasak Cholasit Dam. But the Pasak Cholasit Dam has a limited amount of water and therefore will increase water drainage only a little and for a short period of time. This is to prepare for the situation in advance according to the orders of the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperat
ives. 512

Source: Thai News Agency