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Thailand

North and Northeast plagued by more natural disasters

BANGKOK, 12 March 2013 (NNT) - Thailand continues to be hit by a bout of natural disasters, with severe drought conditions plaguing the North and tropical storms damaging homes in the Northeast.

In Chiang Mai, where water in major dams has dropped to 45 percent of total capacity, 16 districts have been declared drought disaster zones. Concerns are mounting over whether the province will experience more water shortage during the drought season.

In Chiang Rai, widespread drought has scorched much of the hay fields needed to feed the livestock. The province has declared all 18 districts disaster zones and has sped up assistance for those affected.

Meanwhile, in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, a tropical storm has damaged over 10 households and uprooted trees along the main roads. The provincial weather unit has warned that the storm is likely to linger until Wednesday and more hailstorms and rain can be expected.