SUKHOTHAI, 18 October 2014 – Locals and officials in some northern and northeastern provinces are already bracing for the upcoming drought period that is expected to be more severe than usual.
In Sukhothai’s Si Samrong district, rice plants have been seen withering from the dry weather and lack of rainfall. Some of the rice growers have tried digging water wells, which offered little help as water in the wells dried up quickly.
In Chainat, the greatly reduced water level in irrigation canals acted as confirmation to farmers that the Irrigation Department has, in fact, stopped discharging water into the irrigation system; in line with the government’s earlier announcements. Some rice growers opt to cease off-season rice growing activities; others are trying to pump water into their paddies, although each paddy’s size has been reduced.
In Yasothon, officials at the rainmaking center for the Northeastern Region are conducting aerial surveys in preparation for the upcoming drought. Meanwhile, authorities are asking farmers to reduce the size of their plantations in anticipation of water shortage in the irrigation system.
