Dried-up river shocks
Well-known green advocate Sasin Chalermlarp has posted an image on social media of the dried-up Ping River which has shocked social media users.
Next to the image, which first appeared on Thai Rath Online, Mr Sasin, secretary-general of the Seub Nakassathien Foundation, wrote: “The drought has begun.’’
The accompanying report said even though the rainy season has just ended, there was no water in the Ping River. People can see the riverbed which looks as bare as desert sand.
Thai Rath Online also said less than 10% of usable water is left in the Bhumibol dam.
“There is no water in the Ping River that passes Kamphaeng Phet province. Children are biking in the river bed,” the report said.
Social media users blamed deforestation for the early drought.
“Several mountains in the North have been denuded and turned into corn fields. This is the consequence,” said one Facebook user.
Meanwhile, the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) said it has no extra water for the Loy Krathong festival this year, Post Today reports.
RID deputy director-general Suthep Noipairoj said a number of provinces have asked the agency to release more water during the festival, a major tourist event, which falls on Nov 17.
However, that is not possible, he said, as the water supply in all major dams and reservoirs is lower than normal.
“So many provinces have asked for more water for the festival, but we cannot do that, as we need it for consumption and maintaining the ecological system,” he said.
Mr Suthep said there are only 4.3 billion cubic metres of water for the Chao Phraya River basin, with the dry season starting on Nov 1.