CHIANG RAI, 19 December 2013 9 provinces in the North and Northeast have been declared disaster-hit zones due to the cold spell blanketing them.
In Phitsanulok, temperature in the city area was down to between 16 and 19 degrees Celsius. However, the mercury read at 1 degree Celsius in Noen Phoem sub-district in Nakhon Thai district, and frost was observed on grass.
In Chiang Rai, Wild Himalayan Cherry trees were starting to bloom on mountaintops, and full bloom is expected within this month. Locals say a full bloom has not been observed for many years because the weather has not been cold enough.
The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department has declared Tak, Nan, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Phanom, Nong Bualamphu, Phrae, Chiang Rai and Uttaradit as cold-hit disaster areas after the provinces have been blanketed by a high pressure cell that resulted in sustained cold temperature. The department was tallying the areas and persons afflicted by the cold and was coordinating with all sectors to find supplies of winter gear for the afflicted locals.
