BANGKOK, 21 April 2010 (NNT) - Sixty provinces with more than seven million villagers are experiencing drought, while more than 300,000 rai of farmland is damaged across the country, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM).
As elaborated by DDPM Director-General Anucha Mokkhavesa, a total of 7,421,017 people from 1,982,861 households in 60 provinces nationwide are suffering from the drought crisis. A total of 319,388 rai of farmlands is expected to be damaged.
Drought stricken zones are found in 17 provinces in the North, 19 in the Northeast, nine in the central region, seven in the East, and eight in the South.
Mr Anucha reported further that the number of villages damaged by the drought during 1 Nov 2009 - 19 April 2010 increased by 6,789 villages or 38.89% when compared to the same period of the year earlier.
The director-general said his department and other relevant units are taking the utmost attempt to relieve hardship of the people.
Nevertheless, Mr Anucha also urged people to beware of climate variability during these 3-4 days while all related officials in each region must monitor the weather condition and situation around the clock in order to provide assistance in time.