BANGKOK, 20 March 2013 More provinces are being hit by the drought crisis and in need of assistance from related authorities.
DDPM Director-General Chatchai Promlert said on Tuesday that there currently are 27,358 villages in 38 provinces, which have been hit by drought. Out of this, 21 have also been declared emergency drought crisis zones.
Areas affected by the shortage of rainfall and water are Kalasin, Udon Thani, Yasothon, Maha Sarakham, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Sukhothai, Phrae, Chanthaburi, Tak, Chiang Rai, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Roi Et, Mae Hong Son, Amnat Charoen, Buriram, Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Sawan, Surin, Uttaradit, Loei, Lamphun, Nan, Phichit, Kamphaeng Phet, Phitsanulok, Chiang Mai, Phayao, Mukdahan, Chachoengsao, Prachin Buri, Trang, Chai Nat, Sakon Nakhon, Bueng Kan, Phetchabun and Trat.
Meanwhile, the DDPM has called off the assistance program for 4 provinces earlier declared as emergency disaster zones. They are Nong Khai, Si Saket, Nakhon Phanom and Satun.
Mr. Chatchai added that the DDPM office in Lampang, which is in charge of Lampang, Chiang Mai, Lamphun and Mae Hong Son, as well as the DDPM office in Chiang Rai, which oversees Chiang Rai, Nan, Phayao and Phrae, have been instructed to prepare for possible storms, forecast in these areas until March 20.
