The Department of Royal Irrigation (DRI) said on Wednesday all areas that fall under DRI-irrigated zones will have sufficient water supplies to meet consumption and farming demand through the dry season.
"The amount of water we currently have is sufficient for use until May, with some backup during the early part of the rainy season," DRI chief Thongplew Kongchan said.
He urged people to save water anyway and advised farmers not to grow off-season rice, to reduce the risk of shortages.
Mr Thongplew said although farmers in irrigated zones have been warned not to expand their plantations, his agency found the number of double-crop paddy fields exceeded the quota by 1.21-million rai.
"To ensure there will be enough water over 18 billion cubic metres have have been diverted from main reservoirs to canals nationwide since March," he said.
For other areas, Mr Thongplew said seven provinces -- Kanchanaburi, Chaiyaphum, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Ratchaburi and Loei -- are at risk of water shortages.
However, the DRI has put in place measures to provide aid on as-and-when-needed basis based on analysis by the Smart Water Operation Centre, he said.
The North is prone to water shortages while the Central Plains has to maintain its ecosystem and watch for the intrusion of seawater. The East must also maintain its supply water for industrial and tourist consumption, Mr Thongplew said.
"The DRI has sent 4,850 water pumps, water thrusters, excavating vehicles and water trucks to the seven DRI centres in Chiang Mai, Phitsanulok, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Ayutthaya, Phetchaburi and Songkhla," he said.
Water levels at main reservoirs and dams stand at 44%, the DRI said.
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