Severe water shortages are expected in at least 30 provinces this year as the dry season digs in, with parts of eight provinces already declared drought disaster areas, but household supply should be safe.
A tractor drives across the arid bed of the Yom River, which dried out in January, in Phichit province. (Post Today photo)
The eight provinces where areas have been declared disaster zones are Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum, Lop Buri, Maha Sarakham, Nakhon Sawan, Sukhothai, Sakon Nakhon and Buri Ram, interior deputy permanent secretary for interior Jarin Jakapak said after a meeting at Government House.
The drought-hit areas cover 2,091 villages in 30 districts of the eight provinces.
Department of Groundwater Resources director-general Praneet Roibang warned that water shortages were expected to hit 31 more provinces.
The official did not detail the other provinces. However, the department said earlier that other provinces facing water shortages this year were Kanchanaburi, Chai Nat, Suphan Buri, Prachin Buri, Chanthaburi, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Trat, Sa Kaeo, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Nan, Phayao, Phrae, Mae Hong Son, Lamphun, Uttaradit, Phitsanulok, Tak, Kalasin, Khon Kaen, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nakhon Ratchasima, Surin, Nong Khai, Roi Et and Si Sa Ket.
Senior officials of various government agencies involved in disaster management held talks at Government House on Thursday to assess the situation and map out measures to fight the water shortage after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha warned the country could be facing the most severe drought in 15 years.
The Interior Ministry has already allocated 1.4 billion baht to dredge canals and develop water sources to tackle the shortages, Mr Jarin said.
Wimol Chantharothai, a spokesman for the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry, also said measures had been put in place to cope with severe drought this year.
The Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry earlier asked farmers to cooperate and reduce second-crop rice planting in areas where it stopped supplying irrigation water in Nov 1 last year. This could reduce second-crop rice planting by 50%, to 6.5 million rai from 12.16 million rai, he said.
The government had also hired 32,562 drought-affected farmers to work on state projects and promoted alternatives such as planting other crops and raising fish. It also approved a 65-million-baht fund that farmers could borrow from, he added.
Royal Irrigation Department director-general Lerdviroj Kowattana said the amount of water stored in reservoirs was at the lowest volume in 15 years.
A national water management plan had been mapped out, and water in reservoirs was being efficiently managed. There was enough water for general use and domestic consumption throughout the year, he said.
The level of water in the Chao Phraya River basin and the Mae Klong River was not worrying. However, it was not sufficient to feed second-rice crop planting areas, he said.
The Royal Irrigation Department has plans to help drought-hit people. Personnel and equipment could be dispatched to drought-hit areas if requested. The department also stood ready to deliver clean water to 2,631 affected areas, he said.
It had improved 305 groundwater sources to link with the existing tap water system at villages, said Mr Praneet. The would help ensure people have enough water for general use during the rest of the dry season.
It has also implemented a clean drinking water scheme at 323 schools nationwide and developed water sources in 693 drought-prone areas.
Department of Water Resources deputy chief Boonchong Charasdamrongnit said the agency had instructed 11 regional offices to be on full alert to help affected residents. Water pumps, necessary equipment and personnel were on standby for help.
In Nakhon Ratchasima, 12 out of 32 districts severely hit by drought have been declared emergency disaster zones.
The 12 drought-stricken districts are Ban Luam, Bua Yai, Bua Lai, Sung Noen, Non Daeng, Kham Sakae Saeng, Sida, Huay Thalaeng, Non Sung, Prathai, Dan Khun Thot and Chum Phuang.
A total of 63,311 households in 955 villages of those districts have been badly affected and more than 700,000 rai of agricultural areas damaged due to a severe shortage of water, Sombat Srisak, chief of the Nakhon Ratchasima disaster prevention and mitigation office said.
More than 130 water trucks and 150 water trucks were sent out to affected areas. He urged affected people to seek help from the provincial office via hotline 2784 around the clock.
Chidchanok Somprasit, director of the Irrigation Office 8 in Nakhon Ratchasima, said the five major dams in this northeastern province wee now at only 48% of their holding capacity.