Nakhon Ratchasima tackles severe drought with a strategic plan

Facing one of the severest droughts in five years, officials in Nakhon Ratchasima implemented a crucial water allocation plan to ensure sufficient supply for the province’s inhabitants. The strategy aims to distribute 141 million cubic metres of water to sustain the lives of over 600,000 residents across six districts.

Officials confirm that there will be enough water for consumption and daily activities.

At a meeting in the Irrigation Office Region 8 in Nakhon Ratchasima, key officials, including Kittisak Thirawat, Deputy Governor of Nakhon Ratchasima, and Sukhon Temyotying, Director of the Lam Takhong Water and Maintenance Project, convened to address this critical drought issue.

They organised the first Joint Management Committee (JMC) of the year 2023 to deliberate on the water situation.

The committee, comprised representatives from related government agencies, local administrative organisations, consumer groups for domestic and industrial use, and agricultural sectors from six districts of the province.

The dam’s water level stood at a concerning 33%, with only 103.13 million cubic metres of raw water available out of its full capacity of 314 million cubic metres.

Sukhon revealed that in the year 2023, no tropical storms had passed through the Dong Phaya Yen-Khao Yai forest area, which serves as a crucial watershed.

Only the monsoon trough had passed through, resulting in rainfall 20% below the average and leading to the dam receiving over 100 million cubic metres less water than the annual average.

This dire situation prompted the committee to approve the allocation of 141 million cubic metres of water for the dry season, apportioned across four main activities: domestic use (29 million cubic metres), ecological system maintenance (13 million cubic metres), agriculture (93 million cubic metres), and industrial use (6 million cubic metres).

In addition to the allocation plan, an extensive public awareness campaign has been launched to encourage water conservation and to monitor the situation closely.

This proactive approach ensures that the residents of Nakhon Ratchasima have access to sufficient water for their consumption and day-to-day activities, emphasising the importance of shared responsibility and collective action in the face of a natural crisis, reported Khaosod.

The ongoing water management efforts in Nakhon Ratchasima highlight the challenges that many regions face due to unpredictable weather patterns and the importance of sustainable resource management.

The region’s response serves as a testament to the resilience and adaptability required to ensure that communities can continue to thrive even in the face of adversity.