NAKHON RATCHASIMA -- The release of water from Lam Takhong Dam in Sikhiu district has been halted to increase the amount stored in the reservoir for the dry season, as streams and lakes downstream are filling with rainwater, the dam's water supply and maintenance director Suthiroj Kongkaew said on Tuesday.
Mr Suthiroj said Lam Takhong Dam, the main source of water for Nakhon Ratchasima, is currently holding 62 million cubic metres of water, or about 20% of its capacity of 314.49 million cubic metres.
The monsoon prevailing over the southern Northeast had brought rain that is now filling up the dam's reservoir. On Monday, about 450,000 cubic metres of water flowed into the reservoir.
All of the dam's watergates were ordered shut from 6am on Tuesday to store water, he said. Streams and lakes which usually take in water relesed by the dam, were already receiving plenty of rainwater.
Mr Suthiroj the weather office predicted the monsoon would continue to cover the southern Northeast for at least the next two or three days. This would increase the volume of water in the dam by at least 1.5 million cubic metres.
After that, artificial rain-making operations would be flown over the area until the end of October to further fill up the reservoir, he said.