Preventive plan to solve drought crisis rushed

BANGKOK, 6 June 2010 (NNT) – The government has rushed the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to propose a preventive plan to be implemented in resolving the drought crisis nationwide to the cabinet within the next few weeks.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva stated that the government had been closely monitoring the water problems mainly caused by the El Niño phenomenon resulting in a light rainfall and drought crisis in different parts of the country.

PM Abhisit said that the water level in dams was facing a drought while agreeing on necessities regarding the review of the water management system in order to handle the drought crisis. He also assigned the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to create understanding among the agriculturalists and inform them to use and allocate water wisely during this time.

PM Abhisit speculated that the rainfall would return to normal levels from July 2010 onwards as the El Niño phenomenon fades away. However, water management especially in the Sirikit dam and Bhumibol dam should be conducted continuously to provide adequate water for consumption purposes. He ensured that the water level in dams nationwide must be managed effectively and continuously in order to balance the ecological system and to provide adequate water to the rice growers for their off season rice cultivation.

PM Abhisit added that the rice growers could use water in the Chao Phraya river to crop the off season rice onto about 2.4-3.2 million rais of their farmlands in the beginning of next year. Thus, the government then rushed the ministry to propose its preventive measures to the Cabinet within the next few weeks for more clarity.