Thailand's water management commission can cope with drought

BANGKOK, October 19 (TNA) - The Thai government-appointed Water and Flood Management Commission (WFMC) says it is confident in coping with drought in the country's this year through various plans. Thai Science and Technology Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi, in his capacity as the WFMC chair, told journalists Friday that there have been signs of drought in the Thai Northeast, but the government has already ordered relevant agencies to prepare assistance for affected people. Plodprasop projected that serious drought should begin early next year, noting that WFMC's plans to cope with the drought include artificial rainmaking, the early closure of sluice gates at the Pak Moon Dam on October 22, one month sooner than previously scheduled, and water pumping to people in drought-stricken areas. According to the WFMC chief, the artificial rainmaking will be operated from seven stations, five in the Northeast and two in the Central Plain, to increase water reserves at dams nationwide. The WFMC chair noted that his commission is responsible for water management in the Chao Phraya river basin, pointing out that the projected drought in the Thai Northeast should result from insufficient downpours, urging experts to, therefore, help work out solutions. (TNA)