Good news from dams in the north-east

Whilst provinces bordering the Mekong River, and areas in Phetchaburi downstream of the hillside dams, are all under threat from flooding at the moment, the situation is a lot better in the lower north-east provinces. The Irrigation department has issued assurances today about the water situation covering some 77 dams in the region.

The Nation reports that 77 reservoirs in the lower north-east are stable and able to accommodate much more water. The Thai Irrigation Department has reported on the good news today, dispelling fears of dams collapsing.

Wiwat Thitirat-asawa, director of the Regional Irrigation Office 8 water management division says the situation in Surin, Si Sa Ket, Buri Ram with its Lam Nang Rong Dam and Nakhon Ratchasima, which has five large dams – Lam Takhlong, Mun Bon, Lam Sae, Lam Phra Phloeng and Lam Plai Mat are all under control and able accommodate more water.

Wiwat said the six large dams held a combined 600 million cubic metres of water and were overall at 53 per cent capacity, so there was ample room for more. He said his office was carefully managing the water levels to ensure a sufficient supply for the dry season.

The 70 medium-sized reservoirs in the region were under 80 per cent capacity, Wiwat said.

The Lam Chiang Krai Reservoir in Nakhon Ratchasima reached 101 per cent capacity last week. So, officials conducted surveys downstream from Lam Chiang Krai, arranged for impeding dikes to be demolished and released water at 600 cubic metres per second to bring the reservoir down to 88 per cent capacity. No farmland was affected, he said.

STORY: The Nation