There is more water in dams across the country this year than last year and the water will be enough for consumption and for farming to last through the next dry season, Irrigation Department director-general Suthep Noypairote assured on Tuesday.
However, he admitted that the amount of water stored in 20 dams such as Mae Ngad, Mae Kwang, Nam Pung, Chulabhorn, Lampao, Ubonrat, Lam Takong, Lam Phra Ploeng, Pasak Cholasit, Tap Salao, Bang Phra, Nong Pla Lai and Pran Buri was still not at an optimum level.
Dienmu tropical storm last week caused flooding in parts of Nan province and increased the water level in Sirikit dam and the Chao Phraya river basin. Sirikit dam now is estimated to be storing 2,390 million cubic metres of water, representing 36 percent of its full capacity while Bhumibol dam is getting 18 million cubic metres of water a day and is expected to store up to nine billion cubic metres of water by the end of the rainy season.
The main dams now store 3,696 million cubic metres of water which should be enough to meet the needs for consumption and to maintain the ecological balance.
