As many provinces throughout the country are awash with rain and facing flooding, there are 13 provinces in northern, northeastern and central regions which are scarce of water and need help from artificial rain-making operations.
Mr Surasee Kittimonthon, director-general of Department of Royal Rain-making and Agricultural Aviation, said there are rain-fed farming areas in northern, northeastern and central regions which are facing water shortage for farming while many provinces have been lashed with rains.
He disclosed that during August 16-19, 41 farmer representatives had sought help from the department for artificial rains in 46 districts of 13 provinces namely Tak, Uttradit, Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, Suphan Buri, Uthai Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum and Maha Sarakham.
Artificial rain-making teams in Chiang Mai, Phitsanuloke, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Lop Buri and Kanchanaburi went airborne on cloud-seeding operations, resulting in little or moderate rain in some areas, said Mr Surasee.
Disclosing that there are still farm land in 30 districts which are in need of water on regular basis to feed their farmland so they can plant their crops, he assured that the department would do its best to help them.
