BURIRAM, 3 July 2015 – According to Muang Buriram District Chief Poomjitr Sriwongrat, farmers in the area have already planted rice in 290,000 rai of farmland in the area’s 17 sub-districts, 70 percent of which is facing a water shortage.
He said most of the drought affected farmland is located outside the irrigation zone and relies heavily on rainfall for productive farming. Chief Poomjitr cited the province’s drought report, saying water shortages affect a total area of 370,000 rai of rice farmlands and para rubber fields in Buriram’s 18 districts.
The district chief expects the planted rice will wither, if rain does not fall within a month.
The Muang District Chief said however there was no report of any drought affected damage from the area’s agricultural sector, just a minority report on a water shortage.
Farmers are urged not to plant rice until rain starts to fall and closely follow the Meteorological Department’s daily forecast. Local administration offices have also been instructed to immediately distribute water for consumption whenever there are requests for assistance.
