Dam levels 'short for next year'
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Dam levels 'short for next year'

Dam levels 'short for next year'

An additional 3 billion cubic metres of water are needed to fill four main dams to ensure sufficient water through next year's dry season, an expert says.

Hydro and Agro Informatics Institute (HAII) director Royal Chitradon said that the latest information shows there are 4.8 billion cubic metres of water currently in the four major dams that service over 20 million people living along the Chao Phraya basin.

They are the Bhumibol dam in Tak, the Sirikit dam in Uttaradit, the Khwae Noi Bamrungdan dam in Phitsanulok and the Pasak Jolasid dam in Lop Buri.

Mr Royal said the dams require a combined 8 billion cubic metres of water to sustain daily consumption, industrial sector demand and some farming activities as well as preserve ecosystems through the next dry season. As a result, another 3.1 billion cubic metres are needed to prevent water shortages next year.

He said that for the remainder of the rainy season the four dams are estimated to store a total of 8.5 billion cubic metres. However, that amount would still not be enough to supply all paddy fields along the river basin. To do so, 9.5 billion cubic metres are needed.

"We expect a storm to hit northern Thailand, probably next week, as we have seen signs of it forming. If this happens, there will be more rainfall and water flow into the Ubolratana dam in Khon Kaen, the Sirikit dam and Pasak Jolasid dam," he said.

According to the HAII, usable water in the Bhumibol dam has remained at 7% of capacity, compared to 33% in Sirikit, 36% in Pasak Jolasid and 37% in Khwae Noi Bamrungdan.

The HAII yesterday introduced its ThaiWater smartphone app as well as a website, www.thaiwater.net, to allow the public to access direct information on the water situation, including weather forecasts.

Meanwhile, the Thai Meteorological Department is monitoring a monsoon near the eastern Philippines that is powering up and moving towards Vietnam. Its severity may increase next week and it could hit the country.

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