Drought in Thai North affects longan produce

LAMPHUN, February 7 (TNA) - This year's drought in the Thai North, especially in Lamphun Province, one of the country's key longan production bases, may reduce Thai longan produce in 2012. Part of longan growers in Lamphun have acknowledged that they are now facing water shortages; while many have to pay higher costs for access to water supply for their orchards. The longan farmers in Lamphun are seeking assistance from agencies concerned to relieve the drought-related problems this year. Meanwhile, several provinces in northern Thailand are facing water shortages, including Chiang Rai, Nan and Pitsanulok Provinces, with Nan alone having declared all 15 districts, covering nearly 780 villages, drought-hit disaster zones and Pitsanulok having also declared three districts drought-stricken disaster zones. Nan Governor Pongsak Wangsamer said Tuesday that the ongoing drought has affected nearly 53,200 local households or over 216,050 people and damaged some 132,259 rai of farmlands, as well as caused a loss of some 1,450 cattle, with the province's total drought-borne damage initially estimated at some 59 million baht, acknowledging that he has told each district chief to take good care of their villagers. According to the Ministry of Interior's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Kamphaeng Phet and Sukhothai in the Thai North, as well as the northeastern Loei Province and the eastern Chantaburi have also been hit by this year's drought. (TNA)