'Storm pumps up water stocks but overall levels for year still low'

Of the total, 889 million cubic metres are in the northern, 372 million in the western, 213 million in the southern, 111 million in the northeastern, 40 million in the eastern and 0.43 in the central regions, the Royal Irrigation Department said.
The four main dams of the Chao Phraya River basin have a high level of water except for Sirikit Dam which has 489.65 million cubic metres while Bhumibol Dam, Kwai Noi Bumrung Dan Dam and Pasak Jolasid Dam have 170.39, 39.22 and 0.45 million cubic metres respectively.
The numbers point to the water level this year increasing to the same level as in 2019 but the usable level in 2020-21 marked in November 2020 is 33 per cent of capacity, which is a low volume.
The department is monitoring another storm that might arrive in Thailand. Rains have been 10 per cent lower than expected, leading to the need for new speculation on November 1.
The department said it would attempt to contain the use of water for irrigation to manage the water resources and would collaborate with responsible organisations for planning plantations in the drought season of 2020-21.