BANGKOK, 12 April 2013 The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) made known that 46 provinces across the country have been declared drought disaster zones as the crisis continues to grip the North and the Northeast.
Out of the 46 drought-stricken zones, the DDPM reported that a total of 29 provinces, including Kalasin, Udon Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Sukhothai, Chiang Rai and Tak, are experiencing severe drought. More than 50 percent of areas in each province are hit by water shortages.
At present, Thailand’s major dams are holding a combined 38 billion cubic meters or 54 percent of the total capacity.
Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasop Suraswasdi, in his capacity as the chairperson of the Water and Flood Management Committee, told the press that the drought situation this year is considerably better than the 2011 flood crisis. He predicted that the upcoming tropical storms will be able to help relieve drought conditions in many provinces.
