Southern Provinces Poised For Severe Drought

[george]

Southern provinces poised for severe drought

SONGKHLA: -- Thailand's southern provinces of Trang, Satun, Phattalung and Songkhla are expected to come in for severe drought this year, with rainfall this year already well down on last year's figures.

Data from the regional branch of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Centre shows that the absence of rain in the southern region over the past four months has led to a drought crisis - a particular challenge for the government, which has promised to eliminate drought within the next four years.

Mr. Suwit Khanikul, director of the centre, warned today that Trang and Satun were likely to be particularly badly affected, and said that the centre had drawn up drought alleviation measures.

The centre has already distributed 2 million litres of water to residents in the two worst affected provinces, while water shortages are now also becoming apparent in Phattalung and Songkhla.

Last year only 12,000mm of rain fell on the southern provinces, which the centre is responsible for, compared to a normal average of 15,000mm.

--TNA 2005-02-11

[ovenman]

a particular challenge for the government, which has promised to eliminate drought within the next four years.

I hadn't heard that little gem before now. How's that gonna work, does Mr. Big have a private hotline to the weather gods?

[The_Eye_Of_Sauron]

The important thing is that tourists don't cancel their holidays to Thailand due to the fact that there is now not enough water.

[dvk1951]

Just what Thailand needs, a drought added to a powder keg. How long before the fireworks start.........................