BANGKOK, 7 March 2014 The Director of the Royal Rain-Making Northeastern Operation Center, Mr.Paniti Samerwong, has announced that Royal Rain Making Operation Centers all over the country will operate to make rain artificially in 2014 to combat drought, wildfire, and smog problems.
The program will include storing water in reservoirs throughout the country. There will be 15 centers in total and they will operate in every region: two Northern centers in Chiangmai and Phitsanulok, three Central centers in Nakhon Sawan, Karnjanaburi, and Lopburi, four Northeastern centers in Khon Kaen, Udonthani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Ubon Ratchathani, and Buriram, three Eastern centers in Rayong, Chantaburi, and Sa Kaeo, and three Southern centers in Songkhla, Surat Thani, and Prachuab Kiri Khan.
In addition, a rapid deployment flight team will still be maintained to help drought areas when requested.
The director also said that the operation in 2014 would continue from March until the end of the rainy season and be divided into two periods. The first period is in the dry season to resist drought and decrease smog, wildfire and hail. The second period is in the rainy season to increase the level of water in dams.
Rain making flights will also gather planing data to cooperate with other sectors in water management. At present, there are 15 Royal Rain-Making Centers in five regions, with 33 operating aircraft, two of which are sent out to help solve problems in irrigation areas by special request.
