Hailstorm Amid The Drought

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DROUGHT

Hailstorm amid the drought

By Sutthiphong Saterangsee

The Nation

CHAIYAPHUM: -- A man was killed and about 500 homes and five school buildings damaged by a hail storm in Chaiyaphum's Khonsawan district.

Nuwieng Phim-ubon, 69, was found dead after a coconut tree fell on the cottage where he stayed, while at least 500 houses belonging to villagers were damaged - 200 severely - in 13 villages in tambon Khokmung-ngoi in Khonsawan district.

Village head Phinit Phromphan said the storm also knocked down electricity posts, causing a blackout. Big fallen trees also made people unable to travel along many roads.

Suphot Boonnontae, director of Saharatnugroh school, said the storm reportedly hit at about 8pm on Sunday night. It damaged all the five building at the school, which has been closed for a week while he seeks funds for repairs.

"This storm is the most severe in this province in dozens of years. Local residents in the tambon ran in a disorderly way to find places safe from the storm," Suphot said.

Meanwhile, local officials have been battling drought conditions in provinces in the North, South and Northeast.

Officials in the northern province of Lamphun yesterday declared drought disaster zones in its eight districts. Bt30 million has been allocated to ease the plight of 177,749 households the eight districts.

The southern provinces of Krabi and Phuket were also reported to be facing drought conditions.

Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation has set up a special centre to gather responses from people around the island to try to find solutions for them.

And in Ranong, some 5.2 million litres of water has been given out to residents in five districts declared drought disaster zones.

Nakhon Ratchasima and Kalasin provinces in the Northeast are also battling drought.

Lam Pao dam has been dropped drastically, hurting the ability of local fishermen to catch enough aquatic animals. The drought had affected 62 of 85 villages in Sahasakhan district, so trucks had been used to distribute water to affected people.

-- The Nation 2010-03-02

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