BANGKOK, 17 April 2014 (NNT) – The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department (DDPM) is set to implement new measures to tackle the drought crisis following reports that more than half of the country faces water shortages.

The DDPM said since drought was reported in Thailand during October of last year, 41 provinces have been declared drought disaster zones. Northern Thailand continues to be the region most affected by the disaster, with 13 provinces facing critical condition. Some provinces in other regions plagued by drought include Surin, Chainat, Trat, and Krabi.

Read more: NNT