Sirikit dam levels "most critical"
When this photo was taken just below the Sirikit dam in June, useable water levels were at just 36 percent of capacity. Now, with the rainy season ending, they are down to 21 per cent.
When this photo was taken just below the Sirikit dam in June, useable water levels were at just 36 percent of capacity. Now, with the rainy season ending, they are down to 21 per cent.
Please join us on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/bangkokpostlearning
Sirikit dam faces water level crisis
Post Reporters
The water level of the Sirikit dam has dropped to its most critical in recent years as a result of low rainfall in the dam's catchment area, forcing cuts in water releases as the country counts down to the dry season.
Suthep Lertsrimongkhon, director of the Sirikit dam in Uttaradit province, yesterday said the water level in the dam was at its lowest since the dam began operating 39 years ago.
Mr Suthep said the low water level will directly affect more than 40,000 rai of farmland and also more than 4,000 fish raised in floating baskets in tambons Wang Kapi and Ban Koh of Muang district and tambons Thung Yang and Pailom in Laplae district.
Intensive rain-making efforts have not succeeded in significantly raising water levels at the dam. PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD
Mr Suthep said usually 4.2 billion cubic metres of water (44.99% of the dam's full capacity) was reserved in the Sirikit dam.
However, the available water volume was only 1.4 billion cu/m (21.45% of its full capacity). Only 14 million cu/m daily flowed into the dam.
"Rainfall is likely to fall by the end of this month or there might be no rain as the country is entering the dry season," Mr Suthep said.
"Therefore, we will cut the amount of water discharged from the dam, starting from Sept 27 onwards, in preparation for drought."
Mr Suthep said the dam will release 4 million cu/m of water per day. It previously released 9 million cu/m per day.
Local villagers have been kept informed of the water situation so they will be able to plan their agriculture and fish-farming properly.
Mr Suthep, however, asked residents to suspend off-season rice cultivation.
สามารถฝึกอ่านออกเสียงและดูคำแปลได้ที่ : http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/learning-from-news/707420/sirikit-dam-levels-most-critical
