Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry confirmed yesterday that an estimated sixteen.5 million rai of agricultural land nationwide will be impacted by lowered rainfall as a end result of El Nino phenomenon this yr. The ministry’s deputy everlasting secretary, Apai Sutthisang, expressed concern over the approaching dry season, particularly as the effects of El Nino are predicted to intensify in November.
The Royal Irrigation Department anticipates that by the close of this year’s wet season in November, the country’s 35 main reservoirs will contain roughly 22.eight billion cubic metres (m³) of water. This is a lower of round 13 billion m³ compared to the previous yr as a result of unprecedented impacts of El Nino.
If present rainfall patterns persist, by November, the 4 largest dams in the country – Bhumibol Dam located in Tak, Sirikit Dam in Uttaradit, Kwai Noi Bamrung Daen Dam in Phitsanulok and Pasak Jolasid Dam in Lop Buri – will collectively contain 6.8 billion m³ of water. This is a reduction of seven.7 billion m³ compared to final year.
Consequently, practically sixteen.5 million rai of cultivable land will be affected by El Nino. Of this, 7.three million rai are positioned throughout the 22 provinces forming the Chao Phraya Basin.
To combat the looming dry season, authorities have devised several strategies. First, they’ll encourage the cultivation of other crops that exhibit greater drought resistance, such as beans, in place of a second rice crop, reported Bangkok Post.
Secondly, local authorities will establish different water sources to irrigate the affected farmlands. The ministry may even collaborate with related businesses to promote alternative employment opportunities in areas where a second rice crop can’t be planted to mitigate the impression of El Nino.
The final measure, according to Apai, includes conserving water through the subsequent rainy season.
In the meantime, water ranges at Lam Takhong Dam in Nakhon Ratchasima have dropped to a ten-year low, with the dam presently holding a mere 133 million m³ of water. This constitutes 42% of its complete capacity.
Steps , director of the dam’s water irrigation and upkeep department, said that this case has affected a complete of 277,000 rai throughout ten villages..