Buriram Province: Efforts are underway in Buriram Province to distribute water to residents across 26 villages severely impacted by drought conditions. Water trucks are making between five to ten trips daily to alleviate the situation. There is a growing concern this year due to intermittent rainfall since the end of 2024, with 10 villages suffering the most as they lack water supply. Authorities have urged the government to allocate funds for expanding water infrastructure and dredging water sources to address the drought long-term.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Chaiwat Chuenkosum, Governor of Nakhon Ratchasima Province, acknowledged the drought's severity, highlighting four primary concerns: water for consumption, agriculture, ecosystem maintenance, and the industrial sector. Each of the province's 32 districts has been instructed to pump water from raw water ponds for storage, ensuring a supply for tap water production. An announcement has been made to halt dry season rice cultivation, urging the planting of crops requiring less water to minimize water usage.
The province's reservoirs are experiencing low water levels due to reduced rainfall. Notably, the Lam Takhong Dam in Sikhio District holds only 44.107 million cubic meters of usable water, equating to 15.12% of its total capacity of 314 million cubic meters. Other dams, such as Lam Phra Phloeng, Mun Bon, and Lam Chae, also report low water volumes, necessitating careful water management to ensure availability.
In Khon Kaen Province, some rainfall has improved humidity levels. Ubonrat Dam currently maintains a normal water level, with 1,262 million cubic meters or 52% of the reservoir capacity. The dam has over 680 million cubic meters of usable water, offering a stark contrast to the 3% available during the low water year of 2019.
In Buriram Province, the Sa Kae Porong Subdistrict Administrative Organization has mobilized water trucks to distribute water to affected communities. Dr. Boonthung Pramuanmonkolkul, Mayor of Sa Kae Porong, reported that all 26 villages in the subdistrict face drought due to inconsistent rainfall since November 2014. Groundwater wells are failing, forcing some households to drill deeper, while others without the means are left without water. The organization is distributing water from the Huai Charakha Reservoir Water Production Station to mitigate immediate hardships.