NAKHON PHANOM, Jan 3 (TNA) – The water level in the
Mekong River drops to about one meter in Thailand’s northeastern province of
Nakhon Phanom as the worst drought in 50 years continues.
Irrigation officials and port authorities have said the
water level unnaturally decreased not only because low volume of rain but low
water discharge by dams in China as well.
Sand bars are now emerging in the river, affecting ferry
service and fishing boats.
Hardest-hit are farmers who rely on water supply from the
international river. Water works service
in the province also faces water shortage.
As dry season lasts until May, local officials fear worsened
situation. They assessed the irrigation
system with plans to launch river dredging operations and other long-term
solutions.
In another northeastern province, Nakhon Ratchasima, water
in Huay Bon reservoir, which is a major water source for about 15 villages, has
receded to only 10 percent of the holding capacity.
Remaining muddy water was almost useless for household
consumption, said one of the villagers.
The 60-year-old woman said she had never seen the reservoir so empty and
the drought was the worst in 15 years.
Rice farmers in Phichit province face similar ordeal, even
those in irrigated areas. They brought
water pumps to move water from drying out canal, in a last ditch effort to save
their crops. (TNA)
