Thailand - Drought OCHA Situation Report No. 1

Ref: OCHAGVA - 99/0015

Situation
1. The Civil Defence Division of the Ministry of the Interior reported that as of 29 January 1999, 6 million people in 44 provinces have been affected by Thailand's worst drought in decades. The areas concerned are 11 provinces in the North, 17 provinces in the North-East, 9 provinces in the Central Plains, 6 provinces in the East, and 1 province in the South. News reports hold that fears of drought have been averted in some provinces in the East and in the lower Central Plains owing to the downpour that drenched them on 28 January and did not let up for days.

2. Taking into consideration the record low water levels in Thailand's other major dams and reservoirs, Thai people will undoubtedly face severe drought in 1999. Water shortages have already hit many provinces as mentioned above. The drought situation could worsen during February to June this year. People have been urged to make careful use of the limited water supply.

3. In particular, farmers have been urged to respond to the impending water crisis by reducing their planting acreage for the second rice crop as a means to saving water. As part of a water rationing scheme The Royal Irrigation Department has discouraged farmers from planting a second rice crop this season and urged them to plant short-lived crops which consume less water, in the interim. The department of Livestock Development will also advise farmers to turn from second rice crop cultivation to poultry farming.

4. The above reported drought situation in Thailand unfortunately coincides with a difficult time of economic recession. Thailand must attach greater importance than before to agricultural production if there is to be a move towards economic recovery. Indeed, the agricultural sector should ideally act as a source of employment to workers laid off from industry, yet the coming of the drought can only weaken agriculture's role in improving the overall economy.

National Response

5. In order to cope with the drought at an agricultural level, on 26 January 1999 the Cabinet instructed all provinces and districts to form working groups whose mandate is to limit second rice crop farming which takes too heavy a toll on water resources. Local organizations, the police and the Royal Irrigation Department will jointly develop water distribution schemes for drought-stricken villages. Drought relief centres have been set up to help people in need in affected areas. The Ministry of the Interior has also launched a campaign to raise public awareness about efficient use of water and to educate the people on water storage for consumption and agriculture.

6. One way of easing water shortages would be to seek new water sources. In this respect the digging of artesian wells could provide a solution. Currently the nation comprises almost 64,000 villages. If three artesian wells are dug for each village, the water shortage could be eased to a certain extent. In this regard, the Ministry of Industry through the Department of Mineral Resources has started to dig artesian wells in many areas of the country to help drought-hit people.

7. Not only the rural population but also urban people need to be aware of the national water crisis. In Bangkok, the Metropolitan Waterworks authority has started to cut tap water production and distribution by 10 per cent a day. About 140,000 households or 500,000 people in Bangkok and nearby provinces will be affected by the cut. The drought has already affected outlying areas in Bangkok where some roads alongside canals collapsed as banks caved in due to low water levels.

8. The Minister of the Interior will request the Government to grant a special budget to support drought relief measures throughout the country. However, only 100,000 baht (approximately USD 2,700) have been allocated this year to each affected province. Provincial governors have been instructed to see to it that there is sufficient water for drinking and general consumption by the public.

International Assistance

9. The only assistance in support of the Ministry of the Interior's programme is the 'Small-Weirs Construction' project, for which a US Dollars 36 million loan was approved by the World Bank under the Social Investment Project. This 'Small-Weirs Construction' project will serve both the crisis of unemployed labour and the preservation of water resource in the rural areas.

10. So far, the Government of Thailand has not requested international assistance for drought relief. Through the Office of the United Nations Resident Representative in Bangkok, OCHA is closely following the development of the situation.

12. This situation report and further information on ongoing emergencies are also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int

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