The Ministry of Interior is urging local authorities to provide relief and assistance to the public affected by the drought crisis, reportedly the worst in two decades.
The ministry’s permanent secretary Grisada Boonrach said provincial and district officials had been instructed to establish a local disaster mitigation center in order to ensure quick and efficient aid for the general public.
He said local authorities must gather key information in their responsible area to maximize the efficiency of relief operations.
This includes information on the amount of available water for consumption and for cultivation, the estimated time before the remaining water runs out, and a contingency plan if the area receives no additional rainfall before June.
The authorities must first prioritize the allocation of water for consumption, followed by other uses such as cultivation and environmental conservation, Grisada added.
Local authorities have also been urged to work closely with agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment so they can ensure appropriate distribution of water.
Thailand is facing its worst water shortage in two decades as water levels in the country’s biggest dams are at their lowest since 1994.
The drought crisis has led to some officials considering cutting the number of days for Songkran celebrations, the annual water festival which marks the start of the Thai New Year.
The Bangkok deputy governor has also urged Bangkok to cut water consumption by 20 percent during the drought.
