BANGKOK, 3 July 2015 – The Minister of Interior has urged all related agencies to join forces in solving the drought disaster with a focus on finding more water sources for consumption.
The Minister of Interior Gen Anupong Paojinda has revealed latest developments on the current drought situation in Thailand, stating that many provinces are still suffering from the drought, especially the 22 provinces in the Chao Phraya River Basin. The Prime Minister is especially concerned about the public affected by the drought.
He has said the Ministry of Interior and the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) have been appointed to assemble all related agencies’ efforts to help farmers through the fair and inclusive water management at irrigation canals.
More groundwater wells will be drilled in flood affected areas as an initial response to provide more consumption water. Provincial governors have been urged to utilize their local mechanisms to create an understanding on the current water situation and the management plan among farmers, as well as to encourage them to adjust their farming plans in relation to the current water situation in their respective areas.
The DDPM Director-General Chatchai Promlert has said that the drought situation in 27 out of 40 provinces have improved. However, 5,366 villages in 13 provinces still suffer from the drought.
He ordered the related agencies to provide public relief through water by distributing for consumption and cultivation, while raw water will be supplied to the drought affected areas and machines will be mobilized to support disaster relief efforts. The construction of ponds, waterways, and the renovating the existing wells will also serve as a supporting mechanism to relay water to the areas that suffer from repeated droughts in 76 provinces.
