Rain Making Operations to Ease Drought

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)