Weather dpt issues warning of tropical storm

BANGKOK, March 25 (TNA) - Thai Meteorological Department has issued a warning that a tropical storm could occur in several areas in the North, Northeast and Central regions, including Bangkok and surrounding provinces. In its latest warning, the department said tropical storm and even hails are expected en in the North, Northeast and Central regions between Sunday and Monday. The department also said strong winds moving from the East would cover the South between Sunday and Tuesday and this would cause a thunderstorm as well as heavy rain in the region. Many people in the North and Northeast have already fallen sick as weather there changes unpredictably with the weather is very hot in the daytime while the temperatures drop sharply at night and before dawn. Worse still, severe drought continues in several provinces in the North and Northeast. In Nakhon Phanom province bordering Laos, the weather is very hot in the daytime as the temperature reaches 31 degrees Celsius but it drops to between 14 and 15 degrees Celsius at night and before dawn. May people are already suffering from respiratory problem. Drought situation in the northern province of Phitsanulok is becoming deteriorated. As water for consumption is scarce, provincial officials have to carry water and distribute to people, especially those living outside irrigation areas. More than 10,000 rai of farmland is already damaged while provincial officials have declared nine districts in the province disaster zone. The situation in the northeastern province of Sakon Nakhon also looks grimed. Provincial officials have to distribute water to people in which 14 districts have been declared disaster zone. People living in some villages have to buy water at a high price for consumption after tap water does not meet the demand. (TNA)