Chao Praya River Running Low Of Water

[george]

Chao Praya River running low of water

BANGKOK: -- The Royal Irrigation Department Thursday warned farmers living downstream of the Chao Phraya River to be economical as water supply in two major dams in the north has run low this year due to a lack of rainfall.

The department reported that the Bhumibol Dam and the Sirikit Dam in northern Thailand have received about 1,000 million cubic metres less of water than the volume they got last year during rainy months.

The department officials said they have informed the Electricity Generat ing Authority of Thailand (EGAT) about the critically low levels of water in the two dams in order to find a proper management over its activities and to pull through the upcoming dry season.

The officials also said farmers living along the Chao Phraya River which is fed by the dams should be frugal by not growing any crops that consume a lot of water. They said farmers should also closely moni tor news on water supply

Water that fed into Chao Phraya River at Nakhon Sawan province from the two major dams has steadily decreased as the rainy months in the north have come to an end, said the officials.

They said the King Rama VI Reservoir has closed on Thursday, creating a lower tide downstream when it passes through the capital city of Bangkok and other provinces in its outskirts. However, the river tide in some lower areas may change due to the levels of sea water.

-- TNA 2004-10-14