Agricultural losses of Bt62 billion predicted if the situation does not improve by June

DROUGHT is still severe in most parts of Thailand, with 26 reservoirs below 50 per cent of their capacity.

The Irrigation Department yesterday said most of the dams were in the North (all seven dams in the region), the Northeast (10 out of 12 dams), the Central region (all three dams) and the West (both dams).

The four major reservoirs in the Chao Phraya River Basin were at 17 per cent of their capacity in total (3,085 cubic metres) while the worst water situation was at the Ubonrat reservoir in Khon Kaen, which was down to 4 per cent of its capacity (75 cubic metres).

Witsanu Attavanich, a lecturer at Kasetsart University's Faculty of Economics, predicted the resulting damage to the agricultural sector would hit Bt62 billion this year if the drought lasted until June.

Depending in the drought's severity, he said damages could be as little as Bt15 billion.

However, that estimate did not include damage that may be caused to the food production system, he said.

"Thailand is facing a very brutal drought situation this year, as El Nino [weather pattern] has reached its highest peak in 65 years and water storage now is significantly low," he said. The drought has increased the chance of wild fires and worsened the burn-off of fields.

Residents in the North were starting to feel the effects of seasonal haze last week.

Regional Health 1 Chiang Mai acting director Dr Suraphan Sangsawang said 25,389 people had suffered adverse health effects from the haze between February 7 and 14 in eight northern provinces: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang, Phrae, Nan, Phayao and Mae Hong Son.

"During last week, the northern region saw the amount of particulate matter of up to 10 microns in size rise over the safe level of 120 micrograms per cubic metre of air. This is not only worsening the visibility, but also causing people to suffer from respiratory system diseases," Suraphan said.

Chiang Rai had the highest number of reported respiratory disease cases (5,535) followed by Chiang Mai and Lampang with 5,396 and 3,579 cases respectively.

Suraphan said the number of sick people was higher than the same period last year because people had burned fields before the ban was implemented on February 16. The ban extends to April 15.

"I think after the ban has been in effect [for a while], the haze situation will get better," he said.