Chaiyaphum Hit By Drought

Chaiyaphum hit by drought

The Nation

THAILAND: -- Chaiyaphum's 16 districts were yesterday declared as drought-hit disaster zones, with Muang, Khon San, Ban Khwao, Nong Bua Daeng, Tepsathit, Noen Sanga, and Chaturat districts the "hardest hit".

Chaiyaphum Governor Pornsak Jiaranai said the authorities had sent water trucks, which made four trips a day, to help some 51,000 affected families in Muang Chaiyaphum and Phu Khiew districts, where 2,327 livestock animals were also affected.

He said the drought had also damaged 113,279 rai of rice fields, worth Bt40 million, while some 46 reservoirs, 53 dykes and 33 water catchment areas in the 16 districts were also drying. He said the drought might prolong past the New Year period until the Songkran festival in 2013, hence people must save water.

-- The Nation 2012-12-13