BURIRAM, 3 May 2013 The drought situation in Buriram has intensified to encompass every district in the province, creating hardship for as many as 150,000 families.
The water levels at all of Buriram’s 16 reservoirs continue to recede. Only 5.9 million cubic meters, or 20% capacity, remains at Huay Charakhae Mak reservoir, a major source of raw water which feeds the tap water system serving around 23,000 households.
Agriculture Ministry officials in Buriram has already made requests to the royal rain-making centers in Nakhon Ratchasima and Khonkaen province to carry out cloud-seeding operations over Buriram, in order to increase the water levels at reservoirs.
According to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, 48 provinces remain affected by drought, with 31 provinces severely afflicted. Much of the drought-stricken provinces are those in the northern and northeastern regions.
