Artificial rain-making to start in March

BANGKOK, Feb 18 (TNA) -- Anxieties over water now stored at major dams in Thailand plus an expected delay of a rainy season this year, a royal rain-making operation at major dams is to start in early March, said Sanchai Ketworrachai, director-general of Royal Irrigation Department. Mr Sanchai said the royal rain-making operation will be held following the order of Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Gen Chatchai Sarikulya after he expressed his worries over an effect upon agriculture sector in the country. By Friday, water stored at major reservoirs nationwide amounted 25.016 billion cubic metres, equivalent to 49 per cent of the total capacity. Water being stored at four major dams including Bhumibol, Sirikit, Pasak Chonlasit and Kwae Noi Bamrungdan dams total 7.412 billion cubic metres or 41 per cent of combined total capacity only, said Mr Sanchai. The Royal Irrigation Department has cooperated with related agency, the Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation to initially increase water at Bhumibol and the Lam Takhong dams from early March through artificial rain-making, Mr Sanchai added. (TNA)