Rice farmers in Ayutthaya are appealing to the government for social assistance after irrigation authorities requested growers in the Chao Phraya River basin not to plant any new crops because of low water levels in the four main dams.
Farmers understand the water situation, but will need help if they have to delay planting again, said Rattana Khongsomkaew, the spokeswoman for a group of farmers who rely on the Nakhon Luang water supply and maintenance project.
The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) recently warned farmers in Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Suphan Buri, Uthai Thani and Ayutthaya provinces for the third time this year they would face rice crop losses because of water shortages in the Bhumibol, Sirikit, Pasak Jolasid and Kwai Noi Bamrung Dan dams.
Early this year, the RID asked farmers to refrain from planting a second rice crop. At mid-year another warning was issued telling farmers not to plant an off-season crop.
"The farmers do not know how they are supposed to pay off their debts if they cannot grow another rice crop. Alternative careers promoted by the government did not help all farmers," said Ms Rattana, adding the government needs to manage water levels in the dams so water downstream can be allocated fairly for agricultural, household and industrial use.
"Otherwise there will be conflicts over water," she said. According to the RID water coordination and monitoring centre, the Bhumibol dam reservoir held 4,374 million cubic metres of water, or 32% of its capacity, as of Wednesday. The Sirikit dam had 4,029 million cu/m, 42% of its capacity. The Pasak Jolasid dam had 112 million cu/m, 12%, and the Kwai Noi Bamrung Dan dam 241 million cu/m, 26%.
The Meteorological Department forecasts rainfall this month will be 10-15% lower than in previous years.
As a result, the four main dams are unlikely to have enough water for crop planting in the upcoming dry season.
Meanwhile, water levels in the Chao Phraya River are falling about 10cm per day, and have caused river banks to collapse along a one-kilometre stretch of the river in tambon Tha Chai in Muang district of Chai Nat province.
Resident Chalor Inmuang, 60, said she saw the back part of her house collapse and fall into the river.
"The water in the river is the lowest I've seen in 15 years," she said.
Ekasit Sakdeethanaporn, director of the Chao Phraya Dam Project, said the continual drop in water levels in the Chao Phraya River is partly due to decreasing water drainage rates from the Bhumibol and Sirikit dams -- a measure being taken to cope with the looming water shortage.
People living next to the Chao Phraya River in Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani and Chai Nat are advised to stay alert.