BANGKOK, Thailand – The Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation is continuing drought relief efforts in the Thung Kula Ronghai area, with operations planned to avoid flood-prone zones. Director-General Rachen Silparaya recently visited Suwannaphum and Kaset Wisai districts in Roi Et province to oversee rainmaking missions and assess local water conditions.
While Kaset Wisai district currently has sufficient water for farming, nearby areas such as Phon Sai and Suwannaphum are still facing shortages. The Khon Kaen Provincial Rainmaking Unit has been tasked with targeting these districts, with instructions to avoid overlapping storm-affected areas to reduce the risk of flooding or crop damage.
Rainmaking operations are also underway in other regions. In the Central Region, efforts are focused on agricultural zones in Kanchanaburi, Suphan Buri, and Uthai Thani, as well as work to replenish key reservoirs. In the Northeast, in addition to supporting Thung Kula Ronghai, monitoring continues at dams with critically low storage levels, including Lam Takhong, Lam Phra Phloeng, Mun Bon, Lam Chae, and Lam Nang Rong—all currently below 60% usable capacity.
In the Upper South, rainmaking flights are supporting agriculture in Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces, with priority given to boosting reserves at Pranburi and Kaeng Krachan dams.
The Department affirmed that rainmaking efforts will be based strictly on actual water demand. Operations will be avoided in flood-prone areas and regions with sufficient water to prevent negative impacts on crops and communities. (NNT)
