The Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry is planning to build an additional 421 water storage facilities in the fight against a looming water shortage, which is believed will be the worst in 10 years. "The new storage facilities will increase water capacity by 942 million cubic metres," he said yesterday, adding that up to 1.2 million rai of new irrigation areas will benefit from the move. As a short-term solution, officials will divert 850 million cubic metres of water from the Mae Klong River to the Chao Phraya to maintain the quality of tap water. However, in the long run, the government needs to expand water storage capacity as the country cannot rely on existing facilities, Mr Chalermchai said. "I believe many farmers already have that economical habit," Mr Varawut said, urging Bangkokians and residents in other large cities to follow suit.

Source: Bangkok Post January 03, 2020 22:41 UTC