BURIRAM, 14 June 2015 – Farmers in the northeastern province of Buriram are pleading for government help as more than half of their farming areas are being hit by the worst drought in 50 years.
The prolonged dry season has brought on damage to more than 700 rai out of the 1,100 rai of farming areas in Ban Sokklong Village. Villagers fear the rest of their rice paddies will die off if no rains come within a week. Cultivation in this community relies mainly on rainfalls.
Their most-needed aid includes rain-making operations, government compensation for the damaged crops and distribution of seeds to relieve their financial trouble caused by their failed investment.
The lengthy drought reportedly caused water levels at major dams to fall to a new low over the past 51 years. The Royal Irrigation Department called on farmers to refrain from the annual rice cultivation during this period as part of its water management scheme.
