Royal Rain-making to extend operations

BANGKOK, Oct 20 (TNA) -- The Royal Rain-making and Agricultural Aviation Department has decided to extend its operations until mid-November due to lack of rainfalls in Thailand presently, said Director-General of the Department Surasee Kittimonthon. Originally, the department planned to end its rain-making operations nationwide on October 31, said Mr Surasee. But the need of water, especially by rice farmers who have to cultivate their crop between this November until January next year has forced the department to continue it operation, he said. Also, several dams and reservoirs in the country still need more water to store for the use during the dry season, he said. Mr Surasee said his department wanted to support rice farmers to grow maize after rice cultivation in an attempt to boost their income, in line with the government’s policy, so his department would definitely extend the rain-making until mid-November. If water demand continues by farmers, the department may have to extend operations further until the weather is not favourable to conduct rain-making, Mr Surasee said. Royal rain-making performed by the department from this March 1 until October 18 was satisfactory as rain fell 95.15 per cent out of the total operations, he added. (TNA)