Dam water across Thailand drops

BANGKOK, August 26 (TNA) - Major dams across Thailand have witnessed the excessive discharge of water, as the government continues implementing measures to prevent the return of last year’s devastating floods. According to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, the amount of water held across major dams has dropped by almost 40 percent from the same period last year. She underlines that the discharge of water in large amounts is a decision in line with the water resources committee, and that her government has set aside additional water sources in case there is drought. The Hydro Power Plants Division of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) reports that so far there is 38,514 million cubic metres of water stored at dams, less by 39 percent from the same period last year. It also says the water level at Ubolrat Dam in the northeastern province of Khon Kaen has dropped sharply and only about 12 million cubic metres of water is left there. However, water stored at Vajiralongkorn Dam in Kanchanaburi province bordering Myanmar is increasing to its normal level. Earlier, Pramote Maiklad, a water management expert and a former director-general of Royal Irrigation Department, has opined that the government has discharged water stored at dams too excessively which has resulted in severe drought in several areas now. (TNA)