BANGKOK- The Ministry of Defense has ordered its units to dredge waterways across the country to boost the efficiency of water distribution ahead of the dry season.
Ministry of Defense Spokesman Maj Gen Kongcheep Tantrawanich said the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) is concerned that the severity of this year’s drought crisis will be greater than anticipated.
Ministry of Defense Spokesman Maj Gen Kongcheep Tantrawanich.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan has called on the armed forces and other agencies to help the Ministry of Interior to unclog rivers and canals in Bangkok and elsewhere.
Participating units have been told focus their efforts around sluice gates and riverbends, to ensure that drought-affected areas receive water during the summer.
The Defense Spokesman added that the ministry has always supported projects by the Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation. The construction of 24 temporary water retention areas, or ‘monkey cheek’ dams, are now underway in the provinces of Bueng Kan, Nakhon Phanom and Mukdahan.
The dams are expected to be up and running by the end of March. The Thai public is being reminded to conserve water in order for the country to survive the dry season.
