Drought in the lower part of the northern province of
Phitsanulok has extended, prompting the province to declare two
districts as disaster zones.
Parts of lower
Phitsanulok are being hit hard by heavy drought.
More than 100 villages in two districts - Chat Trakan
and Nakhon Thai - in mountainous areas outside the irrigation zone -
have been affected, according to local disaster prevention and
mitigation official Boonyong Kumsuphan.
An ad hoc directive centre has been set up in nine
districts to solve the problem. Moreover, three other districts - Noen
Maprang, Wang Thong and Wat Bot - are being closely monitored. Farmers
in Nakhon Thai district have switched to growing corn for animal feed
instead of off-season rice, as corn can be harvested in a shorter period
of 90 days, needs less water, and has lower risk of insect-borne
diseases.
Meanwhile, Tak province is also facing drought, as
water in the Moei River flowing between Thailand and Myanmar has
decreased.
Tewarit Pankaew, chief of Huay Muang Village in Mae
Sot district, said the shallow river obstructed transportation in the
area which hosts nearly 20 ports.
He added this year’s drought has come sooner than
usual and port operators addressed the problem at hand by ordering sand
dredged out to a level deep enough to allow cargo boat passage.
Tewarit said that although such methods delay
transportation times to Myanmar, it is better than leaving products
behind at the ports.
Apart from cargo boats, the village chief added that
long-tailed passenger boats are also unable to continue their service
due to shallow waters. (MCOT)
