Drought Affects 4 Million Nationwide

The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said that drought has hit 277 districts in 36 provinces countryside, affecting 3.9 million people.

Most people affected by drought are in the Northeast and the North with 1.8 million and one million recorded respectively, said department head Anucha Mokkhaves.The department initially assessed more than 47,000 acres of farmland had already been damaged.

Compared to last year, the number of drought-stricken villages has increased by 4,743 villages from 9,232 villages or 51.38 percent, he said.

The Interior Ministry has set up a coordination centre at the department to help the drought victims. The centre will cooperate with local centres nationwide directly for quick action in providing help to all over affected areas. Mr. Anucha said initial assistance was provided to drought stricken areas, including 46.7 million litres of drinking water. Moreover, more than 2,500 dikes nationwide were fxed or built and nearly 500 waterways were dredged up.

The disaster response chief called on farmers to improve their water management to ft their farming plans as well as to help save water, saying  the Hotline 1784  is available around the clock for drought victims to contact the authorities for help.