Water released from big dams

BANGKOK, August 8 (TNA) - The Royal Irrigation Department is releasing water from large and medium-sized dams and reservoirs to prepare more space for new rainfalls and to maintain sufficient water levels in downstream areas in the coming months when downpours will be declining. Royal Irrigation Department Director-General Sanchai Ketworachai told journalists of the policy, noting that he has ordered irrigation offices and projects in each area to speed up releasing water from the dams and reservoirs so that their remaining water levels are under control efficiently. Sanchai revealed that there are now more than 200 dams and reservoirs where their water levels are about 80-100 per cent of their maximum capacity or even higher than their maximum capacity or their upper rule curve. The senior official said the total water level of the large and medium-sized dams and reservoirs stands at more than 48 billion cubic meters of water, or about 64 per cent of their combined maximum capacity, and they can take combined water inflows of nearly 27 billion cubic meters of water additionally. According to the senior official water levels of the large and medium-sized dams and reservoirs will be released until they are lower than 80 per cent of their maximum capacity, while water levels in downstream areas will also be watched out 24 hours to always bring the water situation under control nationwide. (TNA)