Yingluck Orders Agencies to Efficiently Tackle Drought Problem

     BANGKOK, 22 February 2014 (NNT) – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has expressed concerns over the drought situation, and has ordered related agencies to lay down their problem-solving guideline and ensure systematic and accessible assistance to the drought-afflicted.

      Ms. Yingluck has assigned her deputies and appropriate agencies to efficiently tackle the drought problems, and to make sure that water resource is well-managed. She also asked for plans to be laid down to optimize the use of available water. For the provincial level, she has assigned each provincial governor to comprehensively tackle the drought problem and ensure that solutions are tailored for each locality. The provincial administration should also foster an understanding with locals about ways to mitigate the effects of the problems and the protocol for assisting the drought-afflicted, especially concerning water for consumption.

      Officials will urge farmers to grow short-lived crops requiring minimal amount of water, and persuade them to refrain from planting off-season rice.

      Officials will also manage the sluice gates and water discharge from dams to coincide with periods of high tide, to reduce impacts on ecosystems.