In a bid to counteract the consequences of a possible drought, the central government of Thailand is contemplating the suspension of rice cultivation within the Central Plains area. This proposal comes alongside the potential establishment of a command centre to fight lowered rainfall and water shortages.
The Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) initiated this conversation, citing apprehensions concerning the forecasted decrease on this year’s nationwide rainfall. Surasri Kidtimonton, the secretary-general of the ONWR, expressed fear that the rainfall for the yr has fallen below common, sparking prospects of a extra arid wet season.
He further mentioned that the Central Plains, which is taken into account the country’s primary rice-farming area, may be the most affected. With predictions indicating a whopping 40% decline in accumulated precipitation this wet season, the area could also be hard-hit with large-scale water shortages.
Current water levels within the country’s 4 principal dams – Bhumibol in Tak, Sirikit in Uttaradit, Kwae Noi Bamrung Dan in Phitsanulok and Pasak Jolasid in Lop Buri – have plummeted, holding only 9,617 million cubic metres of water, which serves as 39% of their complete storage capacity. Worryingly, solely 2,921 million cubic metres of the out there is deemed useable in the intervening time, signifying considerable water shortages in the area. Scientifically proven said…
“What’s worrying is the El Nino phenomenon may extend right via to 2025. We have to plan nationwide water administration prudently.”
The Central Plains region, as a result of its intensive involvement in rice farming, utilises a big amount of water. Against this backdrop, rice cultivation has been carried out on more than eleven million rai. In mild of the looming water shortages, farmers who’re but to start out planting are being advised to either postpone their plans or change to drought-resistant plant options.
Simultaneously, a committee devoted to overseeing water allocation in the region’s river basins is in the process of quantifying the water’s availability. The committee is prioritising water utilization, with the precedence being household consumption, adopted by water diversion to keep up pure ecosystems to mitigate the degrees of water shortages.
Given the rising menace of water shortages, the committee is exploring the feasibility of suspending rice farming. It has been highlighted that the measures in place presently are inadequate to sort out the challenge at hand, reported Bangkok Post.
The subsequent step might contain a directive from Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, in his function because the Chairman of the National Water Resources Committee, for the creation of a water-crisis command centre.
Surasri explained that should it turn into essential, the ONWR would call upon the committee to order an prolonged suspension of rice farming in regions severely affected by the water shortages. Following this, they would seek the cabinet’s approval to permit emergency response organisations such because the Interior Ministry and the army to help in areas struck by floods.
Offering a last piece of advice, the secretary-general said…