Bangkok – Province across the kingdom are gearing up preparations for this year’s drought season, dredging canals, installing pumping machines, and limiting water for crop farming.
In Phichit province, local officials dredged the Bueng Si Fai swamp to increase its storage capacity. Water from the main reservoir operated by the Royal Irrigation Department will be diverted to the swamp where it will be kept for household consumption and agricultural purposes. Clay dredged out of the swamp will be used for structural reinforcement, according to the Marine Department who is in charge of the dredging operation.
Phichit’s drought tackling committee has recently agreed to extend the period of water distribution for farming purposes to March 24, from March 18, giving farmers a bit more time to harvest their crops. Water pumping machines are being installed in agricultural zones to make sure crops are not deprived of water.
In the meantime, military officers have been asked to seek farmers’ cooperation to cease all farming activities in certain areas to ensure a sufficient supply of water for public consumption.
In Uthai Thani province, the combined amount of water in all dams and reservoirs is about 19 percent of their total capacity, a level provincial authorities said was critical. Rice farmers who fail to take heed of the government’s advice will not be compensated for any losses incurred.
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