Thais asked to shower less as drought in Thailand worsens
BANGKOK — Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on Tuesday appealed to the public to save water as drought in Thailand worsens, especially in the northern and central regions.
Bangkok’s tap water was becoming saline as seawater pushed up the depleted Chao Phraya river, a source of much of central Thailand’s water, said the capital’s water authority as reported by Reuters.
According to the report, the cabinet agreed on Tuesday to spend 3 billion baht ($100 million) on boreholes and pipes to extract groundwater to relieve a drought that is expected to worsen in the next few months.
The dry season in Thailand started in November and normally lasts until April, however, authorities said that dry season this year could go on through June. There are 14 provinces that are experiencing drought in the central, northern, and northeast regions.
“Please all help save water. Turn off all the taps. Use less water,” Prayuth said. “Reduce tooth-brushing and shower time by one minute.”
With reservoir levels low, the government has also asked farmers in some provinces near the Chao Phraya River basin not to grow off-season rice, the report added.
Source: Reuters
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