Readers can keep up with stories concerning the drought at the below link, which is a regularly updated listing of all articles, newest to oldest.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/topics/1715871/drought.
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We go from one extreme to another, overnight it seems. If this becomes a hot and frequently reported issue, which I expect it will, we'll start a dedicated "Drought of 2020" thread.
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30377903
According to a report from the Office of Natural Water Resources, Thailand will enter the dry season on November 1, deputy government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek said on Tuesday (October 29).
“Up to 22 provinces will be hit by water shortage, seven of which are in the North, 10 in the Northeast, one in the East and four in the South. This water shortage is expected to affect 717,000 people,” she said.
She also said that areas near the Krasiao Reservoir, Thap Salao Dam, Ubol Ratana Dam, Lam Nang Rong Reservoir and Chulabhorn Dam will be short on water for irrigation. These dams and reservoirs cover eight provinces, namely Suphan Buri, Uthai Thani, Khon Kaen, Roi Et, Maha Sarakham, Kalasin, Buri Ram and Chaiyaphum.
“The prime minister is calling on related authorities to come up with plans to reserve water and seek new sources by digging wells and dredging canals,” she said. “He has also urged farmers to keep updated with information released by related authorities.”
Thailand Droughts Thread
Thailand Droughts Thread
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Re: 22 provinces to be hit with water shortage from November 1
Pattaya faces water shortages next year
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... -next-year
Pattaya is likely to experience water shortages next year as levels in five major reservoirs in Chon Buri have dropped sharply to only around 32% of capacity.
The Provincial Waterworks Authority's ( PWA) branch in Pattaya is preparing to pipe raw water from the PWA-run Nong Palai water production facility in Rayong to the coastal city, buy some more from a private water supplier and reduce tap water supplies to householders, office manager Suthat Nutpan said on Wednesday.
At present, there is less than 13 million cubic metres of water in the five reservoirs, compared with 36.7 million cu/m last year.
This will lead to drought in Pattaya if there are no storms next month, Mr Suthat said, adding the situation will be more severe than the water shortage in 2015.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... -next-year
Pattaya is likely to experience water shortages next year as levels in five major reservoirs in Chon Buri have dropped sharply to only around 32% of capacity.
The Provincial Waterworks Authority's ( PWA) branch in Pattaya is preparing to pipe raw water from the PWA-run Nong Palai water production facility in Rayong to the coastal city, buy some more from a private water supplier and reduce tap water supplies to householders, office manager Suthat Nutpan said on Wednesday.
At present, there is less than 13 million cubic metres of water in the five reservoirs, compared with 36.7 million cu/m last year.
This will lead to drought in Pattaya if there are no storms next month, Mr Suthat said, adding the situation will be more severe than the water shortage in 2015.
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: 22 provinces to be hit with water shortage from November 1
Why can't they just admit that the Chinese control the water supply with their dams?
Some people go on about dams just delaying the water supply to make electricity but they forget that the supply is being syphoned off well upstream to irrigate non Thai, non Laos farms.
As many commentators have pointed out, the next really bad war will be fought over water, not oil. Oil's old news.
Some people go on about dams just delaying the water supply to make electricity but they forget that the supply is being syphoned off well upstream to irrigate non Thai, non Laos farms.
As many commentators have pointed out, the next really bad war will be fought over water, not oil. Oil's old news.
Re: 22 provinces to be hit with water shortage from November 1
Sand dunes exposed as water in Mekong River falls to critical level
https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/environ ... ical-level
Sand dunes are now being exposed for the first time in a century along many sections of the Mekong River, as water levels fall to a new low milestone of 1.5 metres. Sand dunes can now be seen along many sections, causing problems for fishing vessels and cargo boats trying to travel along the river.
The Bangkok Post reports that insufficient rainfall is leaving many reservoirs in Nakhon Phanom, on the Laos border, at only 20 – 30% of their usual capacity, with the Mekong’s tributaries now running dry.
The chairman of the Nakhon Phanom environmental conservation club, Arthit Phanasoon, says research studies claim the construction of dams in China and Laos are a big part of the problem. He fears the effect that will be had on the water’s ecosystem if fish are unable to migrate upstream to spawn as they normally do each year.
This in turn will have a negative impact on the livelihood of fishermen and farmers along the shores of the Mekong River.
Meanwhile dam owners say they’re not responsible for the water supply problem. https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/environ ... kong-river
https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/environ ... ical-level
The Bangkok Post reports that insufficient rainfall is leaving many reservoirs in Nakhon Phanom, on the Laos border, at only 20 – 30% of their usual capacity, with the Mekong’s tributaries now running dry.
The chairman of the Nakhon Phanom environmental conservation club, Arthit Phanasoon, says research studies claim the construction of dams in China and Laos are a big part of the problem. He fears the effect that will be had on the water’s ecosystem if fish are unable to migrate upstream to spawn as they normally do each year.
This in turn will have a negative impact on the livelihood of fishermen and farmers along the shores of the Mekong River.
Meanwhile dam owners say they’re not responsible for the water supply problem. https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/environ ... kong-river
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Thailand Drought 2019-20
Korat hard hit by water shortage
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... r-shortage
NAKHON RATCHASIMA: Eight districts of this northeastern province have been hit by a water shortage, prompting the governor to instruct the local administrations and district chiefs of all 32 districts in the province to draw up drought prevention and mitigation measures, according to local media reports.
Suffering especially hard from shortages of water are 21 villages in 13 tambons of Non Sung, Chakkarat, Khong, Nong Bunmak, Muang, Pak Thong Chai, Si Khiu and Sung Noen districts.
Water supplies have been brought in from elsewhere to relieve the shortages in these localities.
Governor Wichian Chantaranothai has ordered the chiefs of all 32 districts as well as local administrations to draw up relief measures and report the situation to him on a weekly basis.
The waterworks plant in Dan Khun Thot district is running out of raw water for production as water in the Chiang Krai reservoir, its main source of water, has dropped to a critical level. Permission has been sought from residents in tambon Kut Phiman to divert 500,000 cubic metres of water from the Thanon Hai Yai swamp to the plant for tap water production.
The province has set up a command centre to coordindate efforts to cope with the drought and water shortage.
A provincial announcement has urged farmers to skip second-season rice farming and resort to growing crops that consume less water, such as various kinds of bean, sesame, sunflower, sorghum and vegetables.
Local administrations have been instructed to store water from various sources for tap water production in their localities and repair unused artesian wells to draw water for household use.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... r-shortage
NAKHON RATCHASIMA: Eight districts of this northeastern province have been hit by a water shortage, prompting the governor to instruct the local administrations and district chiefs of all 32 districts in the province to draw up drought prevention and mitigation measures, according to local media reports.
Suffering especially hard from shortages of water are 21 villages in 13 tambons of Non Sung, Chakkarat, Khong, Nong Bunmak, Muang, Pak Thong Chai, Si Khiu and Sung Noen districts.
Water supplies have been brought in from elsewhere to relieve the shortages in these localities.
Governor Wichian Chantaranothai has ordered the chiefs of all 32 districts as well as local administrations to draw up relief measures and report the situation to him on a weekly basis.
The waterworks plant in Dan Khun Thot district is running out of raw water for production as water in the Chiang Krai reservoir, its main source of water, has dropped to a critical level. Permission has been sought from residents in tambon Kut Phiman to divert 500,000 cubic metres of water from the Thanon Hai Yai swamp to the plant for tap water production.
The province has set up a command centre to coordindate efforts to cope with the drought and water shortage.
A provincial announcement has urged farmers to skip second-season rice farming and resort to growing crops that consume less water, such as various kinds of bean, sesame, sunflower, sorghum and vegetables.
Local administrations have been instructed to store water from various sources for tap water production in their localities and repair unused artesian wells to draw water for household use.
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: Thailand Drought 2019-20
Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam may face severe drought
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... re-drought
published : 19 Nov 2019 at 19:40
PHANOM PENH: Severe to extreme drought is expected to hit the four lower Mekong River Basin countries of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam from now until January, threatening agricultural production, experts warned Tuesday.
The Mekong River Commission, in a statement, said the drought has so far brought the Mekong water levels to their lowest points in at least 60 years, with most parts of the lower Mekong basin experiencing an exceptionally regionally low flow since June.
The commission added that of the four countries, Thailand and Cambodia will be the hardest hit compared with Laos and Vietnam.
"The drought is caused by insufficient rainfall during the wet season with a delayed arrival and earlier departure of the monsoon rain and an El Niño event that has created an abnormally high temperature and high evapotranspiration," it said.
(Not sure where they are getting this from: http://asmc.asean.org/asmc-el-nino/The El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) monitoring system remains in the “Neutral” status this month. Sub-surface temperatures of the tropical Pacific Ocean continued to cool, especially over the Central and Eastern Pacific regions. Atmospheric conditions were also overall neutral. The Nino3.4 index was -0.14°C for August 2019 and 0.14°C for June-August 2019 three-month average.)
During a normal year, the monsoon rain usually starts in late May and ends in October. But this year, it began almost two weeks late and departed about three weeks earlier.
"This year's prolonged dry weather condition can possibly adversely impact agricultural and crop production. The issue of water shortage for consumption could also come into play as the drought persists," said Lam Hung Son, head of the commission's Regional Flood and Drought Management Center in Phnom Penh, who led the analysis.
The drought condition is forecast to worsen from December to early January, with most parts of the basin having little to no rain.
The commission, established in 1995, is an intergovernmental organisation that works directly with the governments of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam to jointly manage the shared water resources and the sustainable development of the Mekong River.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... re-drought
published : 19 Nov 2019 at 19:40
PHANOM PENH: Severe to extreme drought is expected to hit the four lower Mekong River Basin countries of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam from now until January, threatening agricultural production, experts warned Tuesday.
The Mekong River Commission, in a statement, said the drought has so far brought the Mekong water levels to their lowest points in at least 60 years, with most parts of the lower Mekong basin experiencing an exceptionally regionally low flow since June.
The commission added that of the four countries, Thailand and Cambodia will be the hardest hit compared with Laos and Vietnam.
"The drought is caused by insufficient rainfall during the wet season with a delayed arrival and earlier departure of the monsoon rain and an El Niño event that has created an abnormally high temperature and high evapotranspiration," it said.
(Not sure where they are getting this from: http://asmc.asean.org/asmc-el-nino/The El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) monitoring system remains in the “Neutral” status this month. Sub-surface temperatures of the tropical Pacific Ocean continued to cool, especially over the Central and Eastern Pacific regions. Atmospheric conditions were also overall neutral. The Nino3.4 index was -0.14°C for August 2019 and 0.14°C for June-August 2019 three-month average.)
During a normal year, the monsoon rain usually starts in late May and ends in October. But this year, it began almost two weeks late and departed about three weeks earlier.
"This year's prolonged dry weather condition can possibly adversely impact agricultural and crop production. The issue of water shortage for consumption could also come into play as the drought persists," said Lam Hung Son, head of the commission's Regional Flood and Drought Management Center in Phnom Penh, who led the analysis.
The drought condition is forecast to worsen from December to early January, with most parts of the basin having little to no rain.
The commission, established in 1995, is an intergovernmental organisation that works directly with the governments of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam to jointly manage the shared water resources and the sustainable development of the Mekong River.
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
Re: Thailand Drought 2019-20
Mekong water turns greenish-blue in Nakhon Phanom
No, it's not a good thing.
Photo at link.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... hon-phanom
NAKHON PHANOM: Water in the Mekong river in this northeastern border province has turned from yellowish-brown to greenish-blue -- a strange phenomenon that makes the river look beautiful but could be a sign of danger, according to a local media report.
The water in the Mekong river is about 1 metre high, the lowest level in about 50 years. Sandbanks have emerged in the middle of the river in Tha Uthen and Muang districts, some covering an area of several hundred rai stretching 2-3 kilometres along the river, affecting boat service across the river between Thailland and Laos.
As the level has dropped, the water itself has turned greenish-blue -- like sea water -- and the Mekong river running by Nakhon Phanom has become picturesque, drawing a large number of people to take selfies.
Despite the beauty, a group of Mekhong conservationists warned it could be a sign of danger -- an indication that the water shortage could become more critical than before.
Arthit Phanasoon, chairman of the Nakhon Phanom Conservationists Group, said the low level of water has come earlier than in previous years, and has been caused not only by dams in China and Laos but also climate change and global warming.
He said this could lead to the destruction of the eco-system and the extinction of Mekong fish species. The problem must be solved at an international level, not just by one of the countries in the Mekong river basin alone, he added.
No, it's not a good thing.
Photo at link.https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... hon-phanom
NAKHON PHANOM: Water in the Mekong river in this northeastern border province has turned from yellowish-brown to greenish-blue -- a strange phenomenon that makes the river look beautiful but could be a sign of danger, according to a local media report.
The water in the Mekong river is about 1 metre high, the lowest level in about 50 years. Sandbanks have emerged in the middle of the river in Tha Uthen and Muang districts, some covering an area of several hundred rai stretching 2-3 kilometres along the river, affecting boat service across the river between Thailland and Laos.
As the level has dropped, the water itself has turned greenish-blue -- like sea water -- and the Mekong river running by Nakhon Phanom has become picturesque, drawing a large number of people to take selfies.
Despite the beauty, a group of Mekhong conservationists warned it could be a sign of danger -- an indication that the water shortage could become more critical than before.
Arthit Phanasoon, chairman of the Nakhon Phanom Conservationists Group, said the low level of water has come earlier than in previous years, and has been caused not only by dams in China and Laos but also climate change and global warming.
He said this could lead to the destruction of the eco-system and the extinction of Mekong fish species. The problem must be solved at an international level, not just by one of the countries in the Mekong river basin alone, he added.
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: Thailand Drought 2019-20
I have no idea if this is the case here, but in Australia there have been several places where this has happened.Mekong water turns greenish-blue in Nakhon Phanom
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algal_bloom
An algal bloom or algae bloom is a rapid increase or accumulation in the population of algae in freshwater or marine water systems, and is often recognized by the discoloration in the water from their pigments.
Algal blooms are the result of a nutrient, like nitrogen or phosphorus from fertilizer runoff, entering the aquatic system and causing excessive growth of algae.
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
Re: Thailand Drought 2019-20
I recall warnings from many years ago when these blooms occurred during a UK drought, that you should never let a dog go splashing in the water when it's that colour, as some algae are highly toxic..
I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly...
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Dannie Boy
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Re: Thailand Drought 2019-20
One might reasonably assume that if it’s not too good for dogs, it might not be that good for humans?
Re: Thailand Drought 2019-20
The first of many throughout the country I would think.
Water restrictions in effect (Northeast)
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... -in-effect
Water in Ubol Ratana dam, one of the main sources of water in the Northeast, has dropped to critically low levels, prompting the implementation of emergency restrictions on its use, according to the Royal Irrigation Department.
Department chief Thongplew Kongjun said on Wednesday the dam holds about 521 million cubic metres of water, equivalent to only 21% of its total capacity, which is well below its optimum level.
The depth of the dam has decreased so much that residents are concerned there might not be enough water to last them until the rainy season arrives in the middle of next year.
Ubol Ratana dam in Khon Kaen, along with the Chulabhorn dam in Chaiyaphum, supply water to provinces in the Chee River basin, including Maha Sarakham, Kalasin and Roi Et.
At present, Chulabhorn dam is also running low with only 9.3 million cubic metres of usable water left.
"Water from the [Ubol Ratana and Chulaborn] dams is being reserved for consumption and ecological conservation," said the RID chief.
"No water shall be diverted for growing crops at this time."
The department is planning to reduce the amount of water tapped from Ubol Ratana dam and channel what little is left there to where it is needed the most -- including residents in Maha Sarakham's Muang district.
"Water from the Ubol Ratana dam has to be managed prudently to prevent water shortages in the Northeast," said Mr Thongplew.
In order to prevent shortages in the future, the RID is looking to build three more reservoirs in Chaiyaphum -- Wang Saphung dam in Nong Bua Daeng district, Lam Nam Chee dam in Ban Khwao district, and Prong Khun Petch in Nong Bua Rawe district.
The dams are designed to have a combined capacity of 160 million cubic metres of water, which can be diverted to 127,000 rai of farmland in the area.
Water restrictions in effect (Northeast)
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... -in-effect
Water in Ubol Ratana dam, one of the main sources of water in the Northeast, has dropped to critically low levels, prompting the implementation of emergency restrictions on its use, according to the Royal Irrigation Department.
Department chief Thongplew Kongjun said on Wednesday the dam holds about 521 million cubic metres of water, equivalent to only 21% of its total capacity, which is well below its optimum level.
The depth of the dam has decreased so much that residents are concerned there might not be enough water to last them until the rainy season arrives in the middle of next year.
Ubol Ratana dam in Khon Kaen, along with the Chulabhorn dam in Chaiyaphum, supply water to provinces in the Chee River basin, including Maha Sarakham, Kalasin and Roi Et.
At present, Chulabhorn dam is also running low with only 9.3 million cubic metres of usable water left.
"Water from the [Ubol Ratana and Chulaborn] dams is being reserved for consumption and ecological conservation," said the RID chief.
"No water shall be diverted for growing crops at this time."
The department is planning to reduce the amount of water tapped from Ubol Ratana dam and channel what little is left there to where it is needed the most -- including residents in Maha Sarakham's Muang district.
"Water from the Ubol Ratana dam has to be managed prudently to prevent water shortages in the Northeast," said Mr Thongplew.
In order to prevent shortages in the future, the RID is looking to build three more reservoirs in Chaiyaphum -- Wang Saphung dam in Nong Bua Daeng district, Lam Nam Chee dam in Ban Khwao district, and Prong Khun Petch in Nong Bua Rawe district.
The dams are designed to have a combined capacity of 160 million cubic metres of water, which can be diverted to 127,000 rai of farmland in the area.
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: Thailand Drought 2019-20
For three months of spring last year, Phnom Penh had daily blackouts and water shortages. Part of the reason was that the Chinese had restricted Mekong water flow so that they would enough water in Xishuangbanna for the tourists to enjoy the water splashing festival.
Hua Hin had only a day or two of rain during October 2019, when there are usually daily downpours in previous years. The drought has already started and its effects in the new year will be very severe.
Hua Hin had only a day or two of rain during October 2019, when there are usually daily downpours in previous years. The drought has already started and its effects in the new year will be very severe.
Re: Thailand Drought 2019-20
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
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handdrummer
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Re: Thailand Drought 2019-20
I seem to recall that the Chinese were building dams above the Mekong for their cities in the area.wenshidi wrote: ↑Thu Dec 26, 2019 2:54 pm For three months of spring last year, Phnom Penh had daily blackouts and water shortages. Part of the reason was that the Chinese had restricted Mekong water flow so that they would enough water in Xishuangbanna for the tourists to enjoy the water splashing festival.
Hua Hin had only a day or two of rain during October 2019, when there are usually daily downpours in previous years. The drought has already started and its effects in the new year will be very severe.
Re: Thailand Drought 2019-20
Provinces warned to brace for severe drought
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... 2#cxrecs_s
Authorities have warned 31 provinces to prepare for severe drought this year.
The Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) said that drought might affect 61 water production facilities covering 82 districts of 31 provinces — 15 in the Northeast, nine in the North, six in the South and one in the East.
The facilities have already begun digging wells to tap underground water as an alternative source, according to the PWA.
The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) is assisting efforts to dig 524 wells across Thailand's 32 outer provinces. The digs are jointly coordinated by the Armed Forces Development Command, Royal Thai Army and Department of Groundwater Resources.
In addition, the Department of Local Administration has discovered 232 surface water sources which can be used to help meet water demands in the outer provinces.
Separately, the Hydro-Informatics Institute, under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, is warning of severe saltwater intrusion into the Chao Phraya River between January and March, which will affect tap water production.
Prinya Yamasamit, governor of the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority, said the MWA and the RID are experimenting with hydraulic pressure to create pressure "shocks" or surges along the Chao Phraya to drive salt water back out to sea, in their Chao Phraya River Flow Operation.
Mr Prinya said that while seawater intrusion has increased the salinity of the water the MWA pumps out into homes it services, the water is still safe for human consumption.
To complement the state's measures to reduce water consumption, MWA has asked for the cooperation of local communities to reduce their in-home water use — not just during the drought but also for the long run.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... 2#cxrecs_s
Authorities have warned 31 provinces to prepare for severe drought this year.
The Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) said that drought might affect 61 water production facilities covering 82 districts of 31 provinces — 15 in the Northeast, nine in the North, six in the South and one in the East.
The facilities have already begun digging wells to tap underground water as an alternative source, according to the PWA.
The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) is assisting efforts to dig 524 wells across Thailand's 32 outer provinces. The digs are jointly coordinated by the Armed Forces Development Command, Royal Thai Army and Department of Groundwater Resources.
In addition, the Department of Local Administration has discovered 232 surface water sources which can be used to help meet water demands in the outer provinces.
Separately, the Hydro-Informatics Institute, under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, is warning of severe saltwater intrusion into the Chao Phraya River between January and March, which will affect tap water production.
Prinya Yamasamit, governor of the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority, said the MWA and the RID are experimenting with hydraulic pressure to create pressure "shocks" or surges along the Chao Phraya to drive salt water back out to sea, in their Chao Phraya River Flow Operation.
Mr Prinya said that while seawater intrusion has increased the salinity of the water the MWA pumps out into homes it services, the water is still safe for human consumption.
To complement the state's measures to reduce water consumption, MWA has asked for the cooperation of local communities to reduce their in-home water use — not just during the drought but also for the long run.
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!