Speed on artificial rain-making in 8 eastern provinces

BANGKOK, March 20 (TNA) - The special royal rain-making centre in the East has sped up its operation in eight eastern provinces in an attempt to assist agriculturists as severe drought is hitting Thailand. Officials said they transported chemical substances amounting 50 tonnes from U-Tapao military airbase to another airfield in the eastern province of Chanthaburi for the use in making artificial rain. The centre has earlier conducted 19 flights in making the artificial rain in the eight eastern provinces. Earlier, the Interior Ministry’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department declared 14 districts in the three eastern provinces including Sa Kaeo, Chon Buri and Chanthaburi disaster zones affected by drought. (TNA)