BANGKOK, 20 April 2011 – Water level at major reservoirs this year is higher than last year and will be adequate for rain-fed rice cultivation due to farmers’s cooperation in refraining from growing the second off-season rice.
According to the Water Monitoring Analysis Center under the Department of Irrigation, the combined amount of water at all major reservoirs across the country as of 18 April 2011 was 38.001 billion cubic meters, which was 55% of the total capacity.
The volume was higher than that of 2010 by 300 million cubic meters. The amount of usable water for this year was concluded at 14.520 billion cubic meters.
Currently, Bhumibol Dam in Tak province is holding 6.055 billion cubic meters of water, accounting for 45% of its total capacity. Sirikit Dam in Uttaradit province holds 4.851 billion cubic meters of water, representing 51% of its total capacity.
Khwae Noi Dam in Phitsanulok province and Pa Sak Jolasid Dam in Lop Buri province are holding 261 million cubic meters and 333 million cubic meters of water respectively, representing 34% and 35% of their total capacity.
Farmers in the Chao Phraya River basin so far have been cooperative in refraining from growing second off-season rice; therefore, the water management plan for the dry season this year is proceeding as has been drafted, and water will be adequate for rain-fed rice cultivation this year.
