BANGKOK, 13 July 2015 – The national disaster warning centre has declared parts of four provinces disaster zones as the drought crisis is set to be exacerbated by below-normal rainfall this month.
The four provinces are Prae, Chonburi, Sukhothai and Pathum Thani. Areas severely affected by the drought and declared disaster zones include 15 districts and 79 sub-districts. Six other provinces that are also badly hit by the drought include Tak, Nakhon Ratchasima and Khon Kaen.
Water levels in major dams in most regions are increasingly low. The southern region is the only area where dams hold high amount of water for supplies. Despite recent scattered rains, many provinces continue to be at risk of water shortage.
It has been forecast that the amount of rainfall will also be low in July. Rainstorms are expected in August and September. The Irrigation Department has already adjusted the amount of water diverted to canals and water sources from 33 million cubic meters to 28 million, in a bid to continually ration water.
