BANGKOK, 26 March 2015 – The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has revealed that 28 provinces are currently affected by the drought crisis.
According to DDOM Director General Chatchai Promlert, more than 7,000 villages in 28 provinces across Thailand have been facing water shortage problems since October last year.
The DDPM has sought relief efforts from the army and related agencies. Water trucks have been delivering water for consumption and farming to affected communities, and machinery has also been provided to help ease the drought crisis.
A plane has been sent to spray water in the forest areas in Chiang Mai and its surrounding provinces to improve the visibility in the sky. The operation is expected to continue until the end of this month.
Mr. Chatchai has advised farmers to grow drought-tolerant crops instead of rice. The DDPM is also seeking new sources of ground water to assure the sustainability of water supply for household consumption for locals.
