36 provinces in Thailand face severe drought

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Thirty-six provinces with more than 4 million people are experiencing drought, while more than 100,000 rai of farmland is facing substantial damage nationawide, according to the latest report by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.

According to DDPM Director-General Anucha Mokkhavesa, a total of 3,931,713 people from 1,029,811 households in 36 provinces throughout the country are severely hit by drought. A total of 118,414 rai of farmland is expected to be damaged. Drought-ravaged areas are reported in thirteen provinces in the north, six in the northeast, nine in the central region, four in the east, and four in the south.

The department has teamed up with other provincial units to distribute more than 46 million liters of water to affected residents for consumption. 348 water-laden trucks have been dispatched, and up to 2,000 ditches and barrages have been renovated. A total of 479 shallow water sources have been cleared.

-- NNT 2010-03-09

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Cue: Songkran water wasting reference by someone too bitter to see the fun in Thai festivals.

Let's hope for some moisture soon, then also the rain-making efforts can bring some relief until the dry season ends.

What about those tropical storms that are supposed to hit northern Thailand anytime soon??

If things are as bad as reported, some serious measures need to be put in place immediately.

And yes, if having a dry Songkrahn will help, then so be it. Of course, this is only one of many measures needed.