• Published: 2/04/2012 at 06:52 PM
• Online news: Local News

The level in Bhumibol Dam in Tak province has reached its lowest point since the beginning of 2012, and fears are growing of a water shortage for irrigation in the next few months, dam director Narong Thaiprayoon said on Monday.

Bhumibol dam (Photo by Phongthai Wattanavanitvut)

"The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) and the Royal Irrigation Department will revise the water discharge plan as there might be no rain from mid-June to July and farmers will need water from the dam during that time," Mr Narong said.

He said Bhumibol Dam currently has 7.73 billion cubic metres of water in its reservoir, or 57.45 per cent of its total capacity.

He said the amount of water discharged from the dam had been reduced from 60 million cubic metres per day to 22 million cubic metres a day, as water flowing into the dam was less than forecast last month.

The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said on Monday a total of 20,628 villages in 277 districts of 36 provinces have been declared drought-hit since Feb 2 this year.

The 36 provinces are: Kamphaeng Phet, Lampang, Lamphun, Sukhothai, Nan, Phayao, Phitsanulok, Phrae, Uttaradit, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Phetchabun, Uthai Thani, Phichit, Loei, Nong Khai, Nong Bua Lamphu, Si Sa Ket, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham, Buri Ram, Udon Thani, Amnat Charoen, Kalasin, Ubon Ratchathani, Yasothon, Phetchaburi, Suphan Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Kanchanaburi, Chanthaburi, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Trat, Prachin Buri and Nakhon Nayok.

The department said smoke and haze are still a problem in three northern provinces of Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son and Phrae.