And so the annual drought story reappears.
Phuket officials are calling on all residents to conserve water, warning that the island may be close to a drought as the available water in the three main dams dwindles. Somprat Prabsongkram, Phuket Provincial Chief Administrative Officer, says that without rainfall, the island’s 3 reservoirs – the Khlong Katha dam in Chalong, the Bang Wad dam and the Bang Neow dam – only have enough water to last until July.
According to a Phuket Express report, there are 19 villages across Kamala, Patong, Thep Krasattri, Mai Khao and Wichit, that are most at risk of drought. These parts of the island only had enough water to last until the end of March, so they are already struggling with low water supplies.
Medium-risk areas include 23 villages in Kamala, Mai Khao, Chalong and Wichit, where there is currently only enough water to last until the end of this month. Meanwhile, 27 villages across Patong, Cherngtalay, Paklok, Mai Khao, Srisoontorn, Koh Kaew, Talad Yai and Wichit are under surveillance. It’s understood these areas have enough water to last until the end of June.
Meanwhile, Songkran is approaching and residents and tourists will be allowed to engage in water fights, which have been banned for the last 3 years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, given the impending drought risk, officials are urging people to save water and to celebrate the Thai New Year holiday through more traditional means.
SOURCE: The Phuket Express
