January 26, 1999

More than four million people in 34 provinces nationwide have been affected by the growing water shortage, says the Civil Defence Office.

The shortage has already hit nine northern provinces, 13 northeastern provinces, eight in the Central Region, two in the eastern provinces, one western province and one in the South, affecting 4.57 million people.

The agency's latest survey shows that second crops account for 1.75 million rai, in Kamphaeng Phet, Nakhon Sawan, Phichit, Phitsanulok and Sukhothai provinces, exceeding the 578,500-rai limit by 180 percent.

An evaluation report on the state's efforts to curb off-season rice cultivation is expected to be announced within 15 days, after a survey on dam water levels is completed.

This year's drought has also caused seven roads in Bangkok's Nong Nong Chok district and four roads in Nong Sua district, Pathum Thani, to subside.

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