Rainmaking techniques applied in Thai North

CHIANG MAI, THAILAND, July 6 (TNA) - Rainmaking officials in Chiang Mai Province in the Thai North are trying all possible means to raise water levels at local dams, as past attempts caused downpours outside the dams. Nuengruethai Tantiphlabthong, Chiang Mai's rainmaking director, told journalists that rainmaking flights have continued and, on Monday, the operations took place north of Mae Kuang Udom Thara and Mae Ngat Somboon Chon Dams. Nuengruethai said that previous rainmaking efforts caused downpours throughout the past week, relieving drought for local farmers for a certain extent but missing targeted areas. Nuengruethai foresaw that it should rain less for the time being because of the weaker monsoon, stressing that her team is, thus, applying all possible rainmaking techniques. According to the senior official, her rainmaking center is tasked with making artificial rain in eight northern Thai provinces, including Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Phrae, Nan, Lampang, Lamphun and Mae Hong Son. Irrigation officials in Chiang Mai are, meanwhile, asking local people to cooperate with the present water management plan because water reserves fill only 11 per cent of the capacity of the Mae Kuang Udom Thara Dam and 30 per cent of the Mae Ngat Somboon Chon Dam, the reserves of which are considered critically low. (TNA)