Latest news with #RoyalIrrigationDepartment
Bangkok Post
05-08-2025
- Climate
- Bangkok Post
Sirikit Dam opens taps to make room for looming deluge
The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) said it has increased the amount of water being discharged from the Sirikit Dam in Uttaradit province to prepare for heavy rains expected next week. The RID is accelerating the rate of water discharged from the dam, one of the country's main water suppliers, which has exceeded 80% of its storage capacity of late, in anticipation of the looming downpours. Minister of Digital Economy and Society Prasert Jantararuangtong, who also chairs the National Water Resources Committee (NWRC), said the influence of tropical storm Wipha brought large volumes of inflow to the dam. The dam has played a critical role in delaying the amount of water released to mitigate flooding downstream and optimise water management in the Yom River Basin. Rainfall in the upper regions has declined over the past week, leading to falling water levels in rivers and tributaries. Also, flooding conditions in the Yom-Nan river basins have started to ease. The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) has taken this opportunity to gradually increase the dam's discharge rate from 10 million cubic meters (m³) per day to 40 million m³, and further to 45 million m³ as of Aug 4. From Aug 5 to 15, the rates will be maintained at 50 million m³ per day. This is aimed at lowering reservoir levels to create buffer space for the heavy rain. The government has ordered close monitoring and real-time assessments of water conditions while water management plans are being adjusted with public safety as the top priority -- both upstream and downstream of the dam. The released water has already reached Station N.5A in Muang district of Phitsanulok and is expected to arrive at Station N.67 in the downstream Chumsaeng district of Nakhon Sawan within two days. Authorities confirmed that the increased discharge from the dam will not raise water levels at the Chao Phraya barrage, which controls the water flow to the Central Plains provinces and Bangkok. With more rainfall expected in the North over the next few days and peaking again in the middle of this month, residents living outside flood barriers downstream of the Chao Phraya barrage are advised to keep valuables elevated to avoid flood damage. Meanwhile, the subcommittee monitoring and analysing the water situation met on Tuesday to forecast weather patterns and keep track of water levels in reservoirs and major rivers to maximise the efficiency of water management during the rainy season. As of Monday, large and medium-sized reservoirs nationwide have about 50.2 billion m³ of water, or 66% of total capacity, with room to store an additional 26.2 billion m³. In the Chao Phraya River Basin, the four major dams -- Bhumibol, Sirikit, Khwae Noi Bamrung Dan, and Pasak Jolasid -- hold a combined 17 billion m³ (69% of capacity), with a remaining capacity of 7.8 billion m³. Due to sustained inflows from recent rains, Sirikit Dam's level has surpassed 80%, leaving only 1.5 billion m³ of capacity. In response, the RID and Egat agreed to raise the outflow to 45–50 million m³/day, which will not impact downstream communities, they said.
Bangkok Post
30-07-2025
- Climate
- Bangkok Post
Irrigation Department prepares flood defences
Another round of monsoon-driven downpours is on the way, and personnel, machinery and emergency equipment must be ready, the Royal Irrigation Department has told its regional units. Det Lekwichai, the department's deputy director-general, stressed the need for preparedness during a meeting at the Smart Water Operations Centre in Bangkok on Wednesday. Representatives from several agencies attended, with the discussion focused on analysing weather forecasts and water levels in major reservoirs and rivers. As of Tuesday, reservoir storage nationwide stands at 48.3 billion cubic metres — 63% of total capacity — with 28.1 billion cubic metres of remaining space. In the Chao Phraya River basin, the four major dams — Bhumibol, Sirikit, Kwae Noi Bamrung and Pasak Jolasid — hold a combined 15.9 billion cu m (64% of capacity), with room for a further 8.9 billion. The Meteorological Department says that upper Thailand will experience a brief reduction in rainfall between now and Aug 3, followed by heavier showers due to a weakening southwest monsoon. Rainfall is expected to intensify again shortly afterwards. The Royal Irrigation Department has designated the Bang Rakam field in Phitsanulok province as a natural flood retention area. It will be fully operational by the middle of next month after the rice harvest, officials said. Farmers are being urged not to replant crops in the area in order to avoid potential flood damage. The department has also told its 17 branch offices to monitor local conditions, adjust water releases where needed, and ensure infrastructure and emergency response equipment are working. Deputy Prime Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong, who chairs the National Water Resources Committee, said many regions — particularly the North and Northeast — have been hit badly by flooding from Storm Wipha between July 21 and 28. Some of the highest recorded rainfall occurred in the Nan and Yom river basins and the Upper Mekong Basin. Authorities have deployed inter-basin water routing, early warning systems and crisis-level policy coordination to accelerate recovery. Heavy equipment, water pumps and sandbags — both standard and 'big bags' — have been deployed to flood-prone areas. Vulnerable groups have been evacuated to temporary shelters, with full support for food, healthcare and utilities. Mobile kitchens, rescue boats, drones and jet skis have also been pressed into service as needed. Security and transport support are being provided by police and territorial defence volunteers, with temporary Bailey bridges set up in inundated zones. As of Tuesday, flooding persisted in Nan, Chiang Rai, Phrae and Sukhothai. In Nan — the hardest-hit province, with more than 500mm of accumulated rain in Song Khwae district — waters are now receding, entering the recovery phase. The government has also ordered enhanced coordination in the Lower Chao Phraya basin to prevent flooding in provinces such as Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong and Ayutthaya. Dam operations downstream from the Chao Phraya barrage to the Rama VI and Pasak Jolasid dams are being synchronised to manage the anticipated August–September rainfall. At the same time, agencies remain on high alert for potential rises in the Mekong, with round-the-clock monitoring in place.
Bangkok Post
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
New minister pushes land for the poor
New Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Atthakorn Sirilathayakorn has pledged to accelerate efforts to convert agricultural land rights into full land titles for poor farmers, continuing the policy framework introduced by his predecessor, Thamanat Prompow. Speaking at the Royal Irrigation Department after meeting ministry executives, Mr Atthakorn -- who was promoted from deputy minister during the previous cabinet of Srettha Thavisin to full minister this week -- said he would prioritise short- and medium-term results, given the government's limited time in office. "We have only 18 months remaining, so the focus will be on practical outcomes. Immediate actions include reducing farming costs and increasing yields, alongside implementing existing policies," he told the gathering. A key policy is the transformation of Sor Por Kor 4-01 land documents into full agricultural titles, which would give farmers the legal right to sell their land. Mr Atthakorn urged the Agricultural Land Reform Office to expedite the process, saying that delays must be addressed promptly to ensure landholders benefit. "I will monitor the progress closely and expect to see improvement," he said. He cited data from the Office of Agricultural Economics indicating that farmers' income increased following the Covid-19 pandemic but began to decline again last year due to water shortages. The ministry aims to develop new water sources in line with the government's economic stimulus package to support farming activity and sustain livelihoods. However, the policy of converting Sor Por Kor documents into saleable land titles has drawn concern. Critics argue that it risks enabling wealthy investors to acquire forest land, which is meant to be preserved for small-scale farmers. Under existing regulations, Sor Por Kor land cannot be sold or transferred.
