Help for agriculturists in South

BANGKOK, Jan 7 (TNA) -- The Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry and concerned agencies have given assistance to agriculturists in the flooded southern provinces while it is forecast that the amount of rain the region would be lesser Sunday, said Lertviroj Kowattana, deputy permanent secretary for the Ministry. Mr Lertviroj’s remarks were made following a meeting between senior ministry officials and related agencies to assess damages on agricultural area in the South following heavy rain and flood in the region since last December 5 up till Friday. Some 900,000 rai of farmland in the South has been damaged by heavy floods so far, he said. About 300,000 animals have been moved to higher ground and 1.5 tonnes of animal feed meal was offered by the Livestock Development Department, he said. The Fisheries Department has prepared 50 boats to help flood victims while the Royal Irrigation Department has already sent 230 waterpumps and 33 trucks to assist, said Mr Lertviroj. In case of emergency, provincial governors are authorised to spend emergency budget amounting 50 million baht to help solve the problem, he said. Lesser rainfall is expected Sunday, said Mr Lertviroj, adding that monsoon storm is projected to hit the region again between January 16 – 17 and concerned officials have to be prepared for the new round of disaster. Currently, Nakhon Si Thammarat is the hardest hit province by flood followed by nearby Surat Thani and Narathiwat provinces, he added. (TNA)