Five provinces now declared drought zones

NAKHON RATCHASIMA: -- Five provinces in the lower Northeast have been declared drought-stricken _ Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum, Buri Ram, Surin and Si Sa Ket. Wittaya Vitchara-angkoon, director of Zone 5 disaster prevention and mitigation office said that since October, the dry spell had hit more than one million people and over 342,000 rai of farmland in 48 districts.

In Nakhon Ratchasima, the worst-hit area was Dan Khun Thot district.

Mr Wittaya said initial damage was put at 40 million baht.

That could climb to more than 200 million baht, as the situation was likely to deteriorate with the approaching dry season.

More than 1.1 million rai of agricultural land could be affected.

Mr Wittaya said provincial and local authorities were helping drought-hit villagers. So far more than 199 million litres of drinking water had been distributed.

--Bangkok Post 2006-02-13

Does anyone know what definition the gov't uses to define "drought"?

I would be willing to bet that during Songkran, every street and road in every one of these provinces will be soaking wet...

Yeah, with the blood of drunk motorcyclists. Sanuk dii na. Mai mii panhaa.

Interior Minister discussed drought preparations with northeastern provincial governors

Interior Minister Kongsak Wanthana (คงศักดิ์ วันทนา) has discussed drought preparations with provincial governors from the 19 northeastern provinces, which are already feeling the effect of the oncoming drought.

Air Chief Marshal Kongsak said that this year's drought would be better than the previous 2 years as water has been stored up to 60% capacity. In the short-run, sandbags will be used to create barriers to hold water while water-demanding rice farming activities will cease. In the long run, artesian water sources will be quickly sought and artificial rain made. The most worrisome provinces at the moment are Khon Kaen and Kalasin Provinces.

Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department Director-General Anucha Moekkhawet (อนุชา โมกขะเวช) yesterday reported on drought occurrences between November 1st 2005 and February 9th 2006, saying that 43 provinces and 1.48 million families were affected in total. One million rai of farmlands also suffered damages totaling 200 million baht.

In the meantime, the Irrigation Department has reported that water held in important dams would only suffice consumption but not agriculture.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 16 Febuary 2006

I would be willing to bet that during Songkran, every street and road in every one of these provinces will be soaking wet...

Thats not quite the case - I was in the villages of Chaiyaphum that time last year and you might see a few kids with a bucket of water every 10kms. But they onlyt splash selectively - not any old driveby gets wet.