BANGKOK, 26 March 2015 – Authorities in various provinces continued to carry out drought mitigation work on Wednesday. Meanwhile, storms have caused extensive damage to mango grown for export in Phichit province.
Almost 10,000 rai of mango plantations in Wang Thap Sai Sub-district, Sak Lek district, Phichit have been pummeled by heavy rain, gusty winds and hail caused by the tropical storm prevailing over Thailand. Losses totaling about 100 million baht have been reported, after the mangoes became blemished as well as severely damaged.
Meanwhile, provincial authorities in Phrae have been pumping water into the local irrigation system. A total of 20 mobile water pumps have been recently deployed at five spots to pump water into the irrigation system that feeds all eight districts in the province. The effort is expected to alleviate the effect of the drought on no less than 22,000 rai of farmland.
Pichet Durongkaveroj ( พิเชฐ ดุรงคเวโรจน์ ) , Minister of Science and Technology, revealed on Wednesday that the ministry was developing water filters that employ nanotechnology, as well as water filtration machines that can convert salt water into drinking water. According to the minister, these technologies are being developed to help mitigate the effects of the drought.
