Complete water data system to tackle future floods

BANGKOK, Nov 13 (TNA) – The government unveiled its project on building the comprehensive water data system, which is now in the first phase to gather information at local levels for better decision-making and effective water management in the future. Deputy Prime Minister ACM Prajin Juntong said the National Statistical Office (NSO) has launched the project on making the data system of basic infrastructure for sustainable water administration at 25 river basins across the country. It aimed at building the comprehensive data base, which will be linked to National Hydroinformatics and Climate Data Centre in terms of economic and social aspects. Data collection will be done at local levels both inside and outside of the irrigation network system areas to complete the missing information. The comprehensive data system will allow government and private sectors and local communities to better understand the water situation at local level and country level, which will support decision making for effective water management. Putchapong Nodthaisong, director general of the NSO said he project will reduce data redundancy and will be useful for setting direction for the country development and sustainable water management in the future. Assoc Prof Dr Wanpen Wirojanagud, Khon Khan University, the project advisor said it takes 30 months for data collecting from March 29, 2017 to September 15, 2019. Indicators have been created to assess water management in each area and they are useful tools for the future plan for management on water budget, water supply, water conservation, water quality and tackling related disasters. (TNA)