People in several Thai provinces affected by haze, summer storms and drought

BANGKOK, March 20 (TNA) - People in several Thai provinces are suffering from haze, summer storms and drought. In Thailand's northern Chiang Rai province, where thick haze has blanketed with reduced visibility to less than 500 meters, the Royal Thai Air Force continued to deploy its planes to spray water above Mai Sai district on Tuesday, one day after the same solution was applied in the heart of the province, where haze particles soared to 267.7 micrograms per cubic meter of air. In nearby Chiang Mai province, visibility has also remained poor and local people need to wear face masks and glasses to prevent their eyes and noses from irritation, as haze particles have exceeded the safe standard level, amounting to 188 micrograms per cubic meter of air, caused mainly by man-made fires and wildfires. In the country's southern Trang province, summer storms have hit several areas in Muang and Si Kao districts, causing damages to local plantations of sponge gourd. Meanwhile, drought has also affected several other Thai provinces, namely the lower northern Phitsanulok province, where nine districts covering 734 villages have been declared drought-stricken areas, after there have been no downpours for more than three months, damaging over 10,000 rai or 16 square kilometers of farmlands and prompting provincial authorities to have steadily supplied water to locals at relief centers. In the northeastern Buri Ram province, the Tambon Phra Khru Administrative Organization is drilling artificial wells to relieve drought in three villages; otherwise, over 400 local households will have to buy water priced at up to 200 baht a barrel; while local authorities and the Royal Thai Army are also distributing free drinking water to the affected locals. A total of some 1,150 villages covering over 40,000 households in Buri Ram's nine districts have been declared drought-stricken areas. In the southern Songkhla province, people in Baan Khlong Riang of Khlong Hoi Khong district are building an overflow dam to reserve water to survive the dry season. (TNA)