Haze Problem In The North Remains Worrisome; Water Supply In Kalasin To Last Just 2 Months

[webfact]

Haze problem in the North remains worrisome; water supply in Kalasin to last just 2 months

CHIANG RAI, 13 February 2013 (NNT) – Several areas in the North have begun to encounter smog caused by forest burning. Meanwhile, the Governor of Kalasin province is pleading residents to save water, given existing water supply will be sufficient for just two months.

Muang district in Chiang Rai remains blanketed with smog, and the reading of micro particles in the air has increased to 89 micrograms per cubic meter, up from the previous day's reading of 59.

Police in Chiang Rai have been told to strictly enforce the law to prevent the burning of forests; violators would be arrested and prosecuted immediately.

In Muang district of Phayao Province, forest fire control officials have joined hands with local residents and college students making barriers to protect against forest fires, the cause of smog in the area, in Mae Na Ruea – Mae Tam national reserve forest.

In Nakhon Phanom province, the Mekhong river has dried up considerably. Smaller waterways and underground waterways have also dried up. Locals in Pla Pak district are now without tap water, and have resolved to dig artesian wells to extract water from the ground.

In Kalasin province, officials expect the water supply to become disrupted in no more than 2 months. The drought in Kalasin will reach a critical level if it does not rain in March and April. Provincial governor Suwit Subongkot is pleading that residents to use water sparingly. He is enforcing a ban on off-season rice growing during this period. Farmers who violate the ban would not be able to claim any compensation if they become affected by drought.

-- NNT 2013-02-13

[chooka]

Same same year after year, after year. What's happened to all the alledged crackdowns to eradicate this? More bullshite crackdowns and will be the same again next year.

[billd766]

If you think there is no water now wait until the Xyaburi dam is built in Laos and they start filling that up.

Mekong? What Mekong river.

[chooka]

I cut my grass today, using a catcher and the dust seemed bright orange around the edges and on the bottom of the mower. What is that?

[kartman]

Kryptonite?.

[johnopolo]

If anyone would like to know exactly where fires are burning over the past 24 hours (updated every two hours from NASA satellites), then go here:

https://earthdata.na...ctive-fire-data

then click on the KML tab and download the KML file for SE Asia. If you are new to this stuff, download the KML README PDF from the link on the same page. Open the KML file in Google Earth and all will be revealed. Here's an example from today, 13th Feb.

https://www.dropbox....t) (Medium).jpg

https://www.dropbox....n) (Medium).jpg

(Feel free to copy this and post it anywhere else)

Edited February 13, 2013 by johnopolo

[Dap]

I cut my grass today, using a catcher and the dust seemed bright orange around the edges and on the bottom of the mower. What is that?

Your dirt is rusting?

[alanboaty]

If you think there is no water now wait until the Xyaburi dam is built in Laos and they start filling that up.

Mekong? What Mekong river.

The proposed hydroelectric project in Xaiyabouly is 'run-of-river"!

Edited February 14, 2013 by alanboaty

[sceadugenga]

Last weeks bit of rough weather seems to have cleared the air quite a bit.

This was taken on 10x zoom so the hills village is further away than it looks.

[Thailand]

We have compiled a list below of those prosecuted for burning in Chiang Rai / Chiang Mai provinces:

Edited March 2, 2013 by Thailand