As dams empty, Thailand is facing a severe

water crisis

A small stream of water runs through a drought damaged area near Lamtakong dam in Nakhon Ratchasima,
Thailand. Pic: AP.

by Daniel Maxwell-26th November 2015

THE arrival of the Loy Krathong Festival signals the beginning of the dry
season and, traditionally, it is a time for Thais to pay respect to the
Goddess of Water and request good fortune for the months ahead. This
year many communities may well be wishing for more rain, as authorities
warn that water levels are critically low and there are concerns that many
regions will experience drought in the months ahead.

Its not unusual for authorities to issue warnings about low water levels at
the beginning of the dry season. This is often done in the hope that
communities will more carefully manage their water usage but this year it
appears there are genuine reasons for concern.
Dr. Louis Lebel, Director of USER, explains, data matters as it is
conventional for government agencies to talk up drought near the
beginning of almost every dry season but this time the data supports their
claims. It was a dry wet season in the north.
Water storage levels in Bhumibol and Sirikit dams confirm the drought
situation in 2015. The water storage in the dams is considerably lower than
other years in the last decade.
Bhumibol Dam, which at full capacity can hold 13,462 million cubic meters,
is currently at just 37 percent capacity with 5,033 million cubic meters of
water down from 6,000 million cubic meters in November 2014, 7,000
million cubic meters in November 2013 and 8,500 million cubic meters in
2012.
Water levels at the Sirkit Dam, which at full capacity can hold 9,510 million
cubic meters, show a similar pattern of decline over recent years. As of
November 23, 2015, Sirkit Dam was at 51 percent capacity with 4,884
million cubic meters of water down from 5,800 million cubic meters in
November 2014, 6,000 million cubic meters in 2013 and 6,500 million cubic
meters in 2012.
Bangkok and the Central Plain, which have no large water reservoirs of their
own, rely on water supplies from other regions and two of the dams that
supply water to the capital are also facing water shortages. Kwai Noi Dam
in Phitsanulok is at just 44 percent capacity with 409 million cubic meters of

water down from 790 million cubic meters in 2014 and Pasak Dam in
Lopburi is at 52 percent capacity with 595 million cubic meters of water
down from 800 million cubic meters in November 2014.
Severe water shortages in central Thailand could even result in
Bangkok running out of tap water as almost happened earlier this year. On
that occasion, cloud seeding and the arrival of tropical storm Kujira ensured
Bangkoks tap water kept running, but a continued reliance on the
unpredictable nature of tropical storms is not a long term solution.
Low water levels are also taking their toll on infrastructure along canals and
waterways around Bangkok. Klong Krathumlom Road, Klong Sibsong Road
and Klong Sibsam Road in eastern Bangkok have all been damaged since
the water in their adjacent canals dropped to very low levels. It is feared
that other structures alongside these dry canals could also become
unstable. Deputy Bangkok governor Jumpol Sumpaopol has since informed
the media that, The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ordered all 50
district offices in Bangkok and the Public Works Department to check the
strength of buildings and roads, and prepare to address this problem.
Severe water shortages in central Thailand could even result in
Bangkok running out of tap water
Its not just Bangkok and Northern Thailand that are having to prepare for
water shortages in the coming months. The director of northeastern hydro
power plants recently warned the public that water levels at almost all
dams across the Northeast were very low and water should only be used for
consumption and environmental conservation. Farmers have been warned
there may not be enough water for second-season rice crops to survive and
in many provinces they are under strict orders not to plant second-season
crops.

While rainfall in 2015 has been lower than previous years, many areas have
also experienced flooding, with 11 regions of Bangkok suffering from floods
just last month. As such this impending water crisis is not simply a result of
insufficient rainfall but rather an amalgamation of factors which include
Thailands rapid urbanization, population growth, agricultural expansion,
strong industrial growth and poor water governance. These factors have
contributed to the over-exploitation of groundwater and increased water
pollution which has impacted the quantity and quality of the countrys
water sources.
These multiple factors which are contributing to Thailands water shortages
make solving this crisis a complex task. Fortunately, Thailand is home to
researchers, scientists and resource management professionals who
understand the countrys challenges and possess the expertise to develop
action plans that can help reduce the likelihood of future crises.
A recent report by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) emphasized the
need for a multi-agency approach to water governance in Thailand. The
report detailed a number of urgent measures which included the
development of clear guidelines and targets; the development of
procedures that clearly define the rights and responsibilities of
stakeholders; modernization of water delivery methods; rehabilitation of
water distribution structures; increased investment in research; increased
awareness about the publics right to water and their responsibility to
conserve water; the inclusion of water conservation on the national
curriculum and more incentives for water reuse in industry and agriculture.
Improving water governance across Thailand is now an urgent priority
which requires a concerted and coordinated response from all stakeholders.

Failure to act now and implement long term strategies to improve water
resource management will result in a deteriorating situation and the
prospect of water scarcity becoming a reality in Thailand by 2025.
Posted by Thavam