TRAT, Thailand – Residents of Ao Yai subdistrict in Trat province are facing a growing water crisis as water levels at the local reservoir continue to decline following an extended dry spell that has persisted since early May. Officials and community leaders warn that without significant rainfall or emergency assistance, the reservoir may only be able to supply water for another four to seven days, potentially affecting between 400 and 500 households that rely on the village water system.
The reservoir, located behind the Ao Yai Subdistrict Administrative Organization in Mueang Trat district, covers more than 100 rai and serves as a key source of raw water for local residents and fruit growers. Despite rapidly falling water levels, farmers have continued pumping water for orchards while the village waterworks system draws hundreds of cubic meters daily to supply more than 400 households.
Local residents report that water levels have now dropped to near ground level, raising fears that pumps may soon be unable to draw sufficient water to maintain supply.
Pairot Jindawong, president of the Ao Yai community and former subdistrict headman, said village funds totaling 200,000 baht have been used to hire contractors to deepen sections of the reservoir. The project is intended to concentrate the remaining water into a deeper area, allowing continued distribution to households and agricultural users while increasing future storage capacity.
“At the very least, we hope the reservoir will be able to store more water by next year and provide sufficient supplies for the community,” Pairot said. “The village waterworks system urgently needs a reliable source of raw water. Otherwise, 400 to 500 households could face serious hardship.”
He also noted that local residents have yet to receive assistance from provincial irrigation authorities.
Manit Suebsang, who oversees the village waterworks system, said the prolonged lack of rainfall since the beginning of May has severely depleted water reserves. “Based on our assessment, if no additional water arrives from rainfall or outside assistance, the remaining raw water will last no more than seven days,” he said. “The impact on consumers will be significant, and we may have to purchase water from private suppliers as a temporary solution.” Manit urged provincial agencies, including the Trat Irrigation Office and the Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, to intervene immediately. “We are already facing a critical situation and need urgent assistance,” he said.
