ID :
189289
Fri, 06/17/2011 - 14:59
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/189289
The shortlink copeid
Thailand's drought eases
BANGKOK, June 17 (TNA) - The Thai Ministry of Interior's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation says that Thailand's drought situation has mostly improved, as drought-stricken provinces have dropped to 10, from more than 50 earlier.
The department's director-general, Wibul Sanguanpong, confirmed that his department has officially lifted 41 Thai provinces, located in the country's all regions, from their earlier status of drought-hit disaster zones.
Wibun acknowledged, however that drought has remained in 10 Thai provinces, including 3 northern provinces of Nan, Sukhothai and Petchabun; 6 northeastern provinces of Bueng Kan, Sakon Nakhon, Amnat Charoen, Nakhon Ratchasima and Buri Ram; and one upper southern province of Prachuap Khiri Khan, affecting some 1.8 million people or 534,081 households in 8,042 villages totally.
The senior Thai official said that the local drought victims can phone his department hotline, 1784, for assistance around the clock.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department reported that a southwest monsoon is now passing through the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, warning people in seaside provinces to brace for strong wind and high waves over the next couple of days.
In Thailand's southernmost Narathiwat Province, more than 50 houses and some local roads were damaged by a rainstorm overnight, with a blackout also reported in Waeng District after the storm seriously damaged a power-transmission system in the area. (TNA)
The department's director-general, Wibul Sanguanpong, confirmed that his department has officially lifted 41 Thai provinces, located in the country's all regions, from their earlier status of drought-hit disaster zones.
Wibun acknowledged, however that drought has remained in 10 Thai provinces, including 3 northern provinces of Nan, Sukhothai and Petchabun; 6 northeastern provinces of Bueng Kan, Sakon Nakhon, Amnat Charoen, Nakhon Ratchasima and Buri Ram; and one upper southern province of Prachuap Khiri Khan, affecting some 1.8 million people or 534,081 households in 8,042 villages totally.
The senior Thai official said that the local drought victims can phone his department hotline, 1784, for assistance around the clock.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department reported that a southwest monsoon is now passing through the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, warning people in seaside provinces to brace for strong wind and high waves over the next couple of days.
In Thailand's southernmost Narathiwat Province, more than 50 houses and some local roads were damaged by a rainstorm overnight, with a blackout also reported in Waeng District after the storm seriously damaged a power-transmission system in the area. (TNA)
