BANGKOK, 28 July 2015 – Twenty-seven water detention basins are to be excavated in nine provinces along the Chao Phraya River to solve the prevailing drought problem. The project is expected to help reserve over 350 million cubic metres of water to be fetched from rainfalls expected in August.
According to the Royal Irrigation Department, the artificial swamps are located in nine provinces, namely Nakhon Sawan, Chainat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Uthai Thani, Lop Buri, Saraburi, Ayutthaya and Nonthaburi, in compliance with the Prime Minister’s urgent policy to solve droughts. By far, 21% of the construction has already been completed.
Other ponds being dredged at eight tributaries are Nhong Ta Mek Swamp (หนองตาเมฆ), Nhong Bon Swamp (หนองบอน), Nhong Sarai Swamp (หนองสาหร่าย), Bueng Krajab Yai Pond (บึงกระจับใหญ่), Bueng Lahan Pond (บึงละหาน), Sra Khao Ka Basin (สระเขากา) , Sra Nhong Jok Basin (สระหนองจอก) and Kao Khwa Public Pond for Irrigation Purpose (สระสาธารณะคลองส่งน้ำเก้าขวา), expected to reserve 193,400 cubic metres of water when completed.
Lertviroj Kowattana, Director-General of the Royal Irrigation Department, says during his field trip to Bueng Lahan (บึงละหาน) Lake in Chainat Province that an extension is being held on the lake as the drought has made the lake shallow, causing difficulty to farmers to pump up the water.
When the excavation is finished, the pond will generate 60,000 cubic metres of water to 3,000 rai of paddy fields to help local farmers, he says.
Sa Khao Ka Basin (สระเขากา) in Nakhon Sawan Province is expected to be finished by August 12 to honor Her Majesty the Queen on her birthday.
