Chiang Rai News
24 Northern Provinces Effected by Extreme Winter Cold
The north of the country is the worst affected area, with reports that high in the mountains the temperature is just 1C (34F).
CHIANG RAI – Thailand’s Minister of Interior Gen. Anupong Paojinda, has urged authorities to provide aid to the public affected by the winter disaster in Chiang Rai and 23 other Northern and Northeastern Provinces of Thailand.
Gen. Anupong Paojinda has updated the current situation of the winter disaster, stating that a total of 265 districts in 24 provinces are now declared winter disaster zones.
Chiang Rai’s Provincial authorities have been ordered to provide aid to those affected by the weather, to thoroughly distribute blankets and winter clothes to the public, to provide special assistance to those in need, and to formulate a disaster prevention measure for the winter season.
The 24 affected provinces are Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nan, Lampang, Phayao, Uttaradit, Phrae, Lampoon, Mae Hong Son, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Kalasin, Surin, Maha Sarakham Nakhon Phanom, Loei, Khon Kaen, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nong Bua Lamphu, Mukdahan, and Chaiyaphum.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) Chatchai Phromlert has said that the DDPM has established a temporary command center for winter disaster prevention and relief central command. This command center will act as the central agency for the relief operations and coordinate related agencies’ relief operations.
He has said that the DDPM’s staff will be monitoring the weather conditions in order to plan the relief operations accordingly to the current weather situation.
He has also asked the public to be prepared for the cold weather by exercise extra caution when dealing with fires, as well as looking after their health by wearing thick clothes and keeping themselves warm. – NNT
