Water management advancements: Irrigation department propels development

The Irrigation Department is pushing forward with the development of the Lower Huai Luang Basin and the Huai Pue Dam project to enhance water management capabilities and mitigate drought and flooding. Sunthorn Kamsee Mueang, director of the Office of Large Irrigation Construction Office No. 5, along with Irrigation Department officials and the media, visited the project site in Phon Pisai district, Nong Khai province, to monitor progress and discuss ways to alleviate flooding and address water scarcity in the Nong Khai and Udon Thani provinces.

The Lower Huai Luang Basin Development project in Nong Khai was approved by the Cabinet on April 24, 2018, with a nine-year plan (2018 to 2026) to increase water resources for consumption, agriculture, and flood relief in Nong Khai and Udon Thani.

It also aims to promote the area as a new tourist destination and generate income for local communities. Sunthorn revealed that the Lower Huai Luang Basin Development project, which covers an area of over 2,260 square kilometres, part of Udon Thani and Nong Khai provinces, is aimed at tackling the recurring water shortages, especially in the agricultural sector.

Due to the unsuitable geographical conditions for large-scale water storage during the dry season, while the average annual rainfall is high compared to other parts of the country, there is a recurring problem of flooding each year. On average, flooding affects about 90,000 acres each year causing distress to the local people and damage to farms.

As a result, farmers have had to switch to growing off-season rice after the water recedes. Therefore, this project is crucial for developing the agricultural system and water for consumption, acting as a key mechanism to mitigate the damage caused by natural disasters.

The Lower Huai Luang Basin Development project includes seven key sub-projects aimed at enhancing the efficiency of water management. These include the construction of the Ban Dan Mueang Water Pumping Station, improvements to the existing right bank flood barrier along the Huai Luang stream and the water control building along the tributary, construction of a new flood barrier and water control building along the tributary, a water control building along the Huai Luang stream, the construction of 13 irrigation system networks, the construction of 20 monkey cheeks and associated buildings, and a Smart Flood Control System.

The Ban Dan Mueang Water Pumping Station is one of the key components of the Lower Huai Luang Basin Development project. This involves building a pumping station with ten 15 cubic metres per second pumps, capable of pumping a maximum of 150 cubic metres per second, along with a water canal that is 1,344 metres long and a floodgate with a drainage rate of 395 cubic metres per second.

Over 78% of the project has been completed to date. Once fully operational, it will effectively alleviate flooding in Nong Khai and Udon Thani, provide water to existing irrigated areas of 15,000 acres, and expand irrigated areas by an additional 300,195 acres.

This covers 284 villages, 37 sub-districts, and 7 districts of Nong Khai and Udon Thani, benefiting a total of 29,835 households. It will also serve as a major landmark promoting tourism in Nong Khai, generating income and expanding jobs for residents. Importantly, it will be a water resource that will help to expand irrigated areas in the vicinity in the future, improving the quality of life for locals in a sustainable manner.

In the afternoon, Sek Sit Pochai, an expert in irrigation engineering, along with Nittipat Boonchuay Rueangchai, the director of the Office of Medium Irrigation Construction No. 5, and Jiratrathat Mueang Phan, the head of the engineering department, led a group of media to monitor the progress of the Huai Pue floodgate project in Rattanawapi district, Nong Khai.

This project aims to increase the potential of water resources for consumption, agriculture, and flood relief, particularly in the areas of Non-Rasi and Kumpaphan villages, which are regularly affected by flooding from the Mekong River, causing damage to natural water sources and agricultural areas.

The construction of the floodgate and auxiliary building is expected to take 4 years (2022 to 2025) and is currently more than 45% complete. Once completed, it will be able to store water to alleviate drought in the Phon Pisai and Rattanawapi areas and play a significant role in developing the agricultural system and water for consumption. It will also help mitigate flooding in the area and manage water use during every dry season, benefiting an area of 9,000 acres during the rainy season and 2,500 acres during the dry season, benefiting over 8,735 households, reported KhaoSod.