BANGKOK, Aug 16 (TNA) – Artificial
rain making missions started today in the Northeast to ease drought after the government
approved the budget of 30 million baht to support the operations.
The Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation
Director-General Surasee Kittimonthon said his department
cooperated with the Royal Thai Armed Forces to dispatch 29 aircraft for cloud
seeding operations.
The first batch of army personnel have been deployed for
reinforcement and will work until the end of September.
The rain making operations target to increase water
levels in reservoirs in the North, the Northeast and the central region and to
help farmers in drought-affected areas, said Surasee.
He added that rainfall, influenced by southwest monsoon
alleviated drought in some areas. However, he expressed concern over low water
reserve at almost 200 dams, including 19 large dams and about 170 medium-sized
dams.
Rain making operations must be done in favourable
weather conditions before the rainy season ends in mid-October to ensure enough
water supply during the dry season. (TNA)
