Special Centers To Be Set Up In All Provinces To Tackle 2007 Drought

[Jai Dee]

Special centers to be set up in all provinces to tackle 2007 drought

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation will set up a special center in every province to deal with drought problems for this year. The centers will assist people from all levels from local to provincial levels.

Mr. Anucha Mokkhavesa, the Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, said the centers will record the number of residences in their areas that are prone to drought. The centers will then come up with plans to prevent and solve drought problems. Human resources, tools and trucks carrying water tanks will be mobilized together with compensations for the drought victims. Campaigns to encourage people to conserve water will also be launched. Agriculturists, industrial operators, and relevant units will work together to promote appropriate usage of water.

Mr. Anucha said about 280,000 people in the five provinces of Kamphaeng Phet, Sukhothai, Lampang, Khon Kaen, and Nong Khai are currently facing drought problems. 87,000 rai of farmlands have been affected.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and other units are allocating more water supplies and water pumps to farmers.

Weirs are being constructed in 12 areas, and over 120,000 liters of drinking water have been distributed. The cost of assistance now exceeds 3.7 million baht.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 January 2007