Salty water in Bangkok is new ‘reality’ as sea pushes farther inland
Thai authorities are trucking drinking water to parts of Bangkok and urging residents to shower less as a worsening drought and rising sea levels have increased salinity, a growing risk faced by many Asian cities, climate researchers said.
Bangkok’s water authority said the capital’s tap water was becoming saline as seawater pushed up the depleted Chao Phraya river, a source of much of central Thailand’s water.
Prime Minister Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha this week asked the public to save water by taking shorter showers.
Making matters worse, Thailand’s dry season began in November and usually lasts through April, but this year authorities said it could last until June and drought has been declared in 14 provinces.
Rina Chandran
