Bangkok: Director-General of the Royal Irrigation Department revealed. The El Niño situation is weakening and will enter the La Niña situation in July. This is according to the forecast of the Meteorological Department. During this time, we ask for cooperation from farmers to refrain from second-season rice cultivation in order to conserve water for the new planting season. By planning management to have enough water in every sector. Mr. Chuchat Rakchit, Director-General of the Royal Irrigation Department, said that Has ordered irrigation projects throughout the country to publicize asking for cooperation from farmers to refrain from growing second rice fields from a survey of the situation of second rice cultivation throughout the country in this dry season. About 8.82 million rai of off-season rice has been cultivated, accounting for 152 percent of the planting plan. only the Chao Phraya basin Approximately 5.68 million rai of off-season rice has been cultivated, accounting for 188 percent of the planting plan. As for the off-season rice cultivation area in the Chao Phraya Basin, it has begun to stabilize as farmers have now begun to gradually harvest the crop. Therefore, we rushed to publicize the idea of ??refraining from planting for now in order to reduce the loss of rice production from insufficient water. In addition, he has instructed irrigation projects in the area to expedite surveys of the harvested areas in order to plan to reduce water intake into the area without affecting the preservation of the ecosystem, which is to save water and reserve it for consumption. Preserve the ecosystem as well as reserve for use at the beginning of the upcoming rainy season Since the beginning of the dry season on 1 Nov. '23 until now, 17,312 million cubic meters of water has been allocated for the entire country during the 2023/24 dry season, accounting for 69% of the water allocation plan. In the Chao Phraya Basin alone, approximately 6,339 million cubic meters of water has been used, accounting for 73% of the water allocation plan. Currently (March 14, 2024) large and medium sized reservoirs throughout the country There is a total water volume of approximately 48,795 million cubic meters, accounting for 64% of the total capacity, with usable water of 24,854 million cubic meters, accounting for 47% of the total capacity, only in the Chao Phraya River Basin, in 4 main dams, including Bhumibol Dam. Sirikit Dam Kwai Noi Bamrung Daen Dam and the Pasak Cholasit Dam has a total water volume of approximately 13,446 million cubic meters, accounting for 54% of the combined capacity. The usable water volume is 6,750 million cubic meters, accounting for 37% of the total capacity. Director-General of the Royal Irrigation Department said From the Meteorological Department's prediction of the Enzo phenomenon, it was found that Currently, there is an El Niño condition which causes little rain. Starting to weaken, it is expected that it will enter La Niña condition around July, which will affect the second half of the year. Esp ecially at the end of the rainy season, there was more rain than normal. Therefore, it is believed that There will be enough water for agriculture and all other activities. At the same time, he issued a warning to irrigation projects throughout the country. Keep following the weather and analyzing the rain situation. To bring information and statistics about rain nearby Let's plan water management and response measures basin-wide and area-wise to be consistent with the situation and able to mitigate the impacts that will occur as much as possible. It will focus on storing water in both reservoirs and various water sources. Save it as water for use in the next dry season.- 512 - Thai News Agency Source: Thai News Agency