ID :
260556
Tue, 10/23/2012 - 11:28
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Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/260556
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Severe drought hits NE Thailand
THAILAND, October 23 (TNA) - Although the current rainy season in Thailand is going to end soon, several northeastern provinces are now battling against severe drought, considered the worst in the past two decades in some areas, officials said Tuesday.
In Sakon Nakhon province, the ongoing drought is the worst in the past 16 years due to the lack of rain, damaging rice fields and orchards tremendously. Officials have dispatched water pumps and water trucks to help farmers but it does not meet the demand.
The situation in Maha Sarakham province is also gruesome. Farmers growing jasmine rice in four provincial districts are expected to see their rice production in over 100,000 rai damaged due to the absence of rainwater, while rice production is projected to decline by up to three per cent.
An emergency meeting was held at Maha Sarakham provincial hall to find ways to battle against an expected severe droughtม while water stored at reservoirs has declined to only half of the total capacity. Provincial irrigation officials have decided to suspend discharging water from irrigation canals from November 6 onwards, so that there would be enough water for human consumption.
Water stored at Lam Pao Dam in Kalasin province has continued to retreat while concerned authorities said about 290 million cubic metres of water is left for consumption. The situation is considered the worst in the past two decades, as water entering the dam is as low as only 30 per cent. Officials have to issue warning to rice farmers to stop growing rice during summer and urged fishermen to temporarily stopped fishing to lessen damages.