Serikawa Dam stopped the generation of electricity due to fewer rainfalls.

Oita Godo Newspaper (morning edition on June 13, 2009)

Provincial Business Office decided on June 12^th to stop the generation of electricity at Serikawa Dam since the water level had dramatically decreased due to the fewer rainfalls this year. Instead of that, the water valve for agricultural use, which had been regularly closed, was opened on June 13^th in the morning. The discharge of water from this valve is two years after the last time.

Referring to the information from the office, the percentage of collecting and storing the rainwater was 31.14%, while the water level was 319.96 meters which nearly as low as the water level that the electricity generation cannot be operated, 319 meters.

Regularly, the water used by the process of electricity operation will be drained to the lower land for the agricultural purpose. However, the water level in Serikawa Dam had dropped to lower than 319 meters on June 13 thus the generation of electricity was stopped and then there was no water drained for the agricultural fields. This is the reason the office decided to open the mentioned valve on that day (June 13^th) at 11 A.M. with the maximum of 4.7 tons of water draining per second.

Comment: As always, Japanese people are well-prepared mind for everything. They have created solutions for any problem considered to have possibility to happen. This is another good solution they have prepared before hand.

PUNTHUCHAT Siripun

Thailand

APS4, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University