Millions Of People In 58 Provinces Affected By Drought

[george]

Millions of people in 58 provinces affected by drought

BANGKOK: -- More than 8.2 million people in 58 provinces have been affected by drought as the kingdom braves for the highest temperature this month, according to Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department director-general Anucha Mokhaves.

Mr. Anucha said his department would dispatch relief missions to ease the people's hardship.

The Northeast is the hardest-hit region with 19 provinces suffering from drought, said the director-general, adding that 16 provinces in the North, eight provinces each in the southern and central regions, and seven provinces in the East have also been affected by drought.

The prolonged absence of rain has so far caused damage to more than 110,000 rai of farmland.

In addition to sending water pumps to drought-hit villages, Mr. Anucha said officials also repaired old water containers as well as built more water containers for rural people.

People have also been told to be cautious for summer storms, strong wind and thunders all of which could damage their houses.

--TNA 2007-04-02

[Laulen]

Isn't drought a seasonal occurrence with Thailand and particularly the northeast?

It seems that this is an annual piece of journalism used perhaps to fill an otherwise 'quiet' time for newsworthy stories; or am I just being unfair?

Have there been no improvements to water storage and conservation projects, or have these ideas mysteriously been 'syphoned off' by well-meaning but self-serving individuals? Thailand is hardly 'bursting at the seams' with large numbers of immigrant populations, unlike in the United Kingdom and parts of Australia.

Let's hope for all affected, including my mother-in-law, the rains, when they do come, arrive and give the ground a good soaking, without too much damage to crops, dwellings, and livestock.

TIT!