The officers, who were sent to inspect water drainage in Klong Makham Thao running through Chai Nat province, urged farmers to cooperate with authorities as they attempt to conserve water ahead of a forecast drought.
Authorities from the Regional Irrigation Office 12 in Chai Nat have released water from the irrigation system into the 104km Klong Makham Thao which stretches from Hankha district of Chai Nat to Don Chedi district in Suphan Buri to be used for tap water production.
Residents in tambon Ban Chian in Hankha district and other communities in Suphan Buri are facing a lack of drinking water.
The water cannot be pumped for farming until the Provincial Waterworks Authority's Don Chedi station in Suphan Buri has pumped water for the production of tap water for one day.
After that farmers will be allowed to use the water for farming.