Half million people affected by drought in Northeastern Thailand

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Jan 31 – More than 500,000 residents in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima have been affected by drought as in some areas, water supply is sufficient for only the next two weeks.

Winai Buapradit, Nakhon Ratchasima governor said he declared the province’s 29 districts disaster zones due to the drought, which has left many areas parched.

Nearly 350,000 acres of farmland have been impacted. Anumas Thongtaem, provincial irrigation director reported that water reserves are dropping rapidly. Current supplies are used only for drinking water demand.

Some farmlands depending on water from Lamtakong Dam, have been impacted. Low water levels in the Moon Bon Dam is insufficient for tap water use in Non Sung district.

Suchartkit Sutthikatsaneethorn, Non Sung district chief, said the irrigation office informed him that water reserve for tap water production is sufficient for only two weeks and the province must find water resource to ease water shortage. So far, water supplies have stopped altogether in some areas in Non Sung district.

Drought has affected more than 50,000 people and roughly 12,500 acres of farmland in the district.

MCOT