Chiang Rai declares cold weather disaster zones





CHIANG RAI, Nov 14 (TNA) - Thailand's northernmost province of Chiang Rai became a disaster zone after being hit by severe cold weather, a senior official said on Friday.

Chiang Rai governor Traisit Sinsomboonthong on Friday declared all 18 districts of the province disaster areas dominated by intense high pressure.

A Bt300,000-emergency budget will be used to help victims of the cold weather, the governor said, indicating that the amount is insufficient for helping the nearly 200,000 people suffering, said the governor. Therefore, the local authorities called for donations of warm clothing.

According to a weather report by the Chiang Rai Meteorological Station, the minimum temperature on Friday morning was 13 degrees Celsius. Temperatures have been around 13 degrees Celsius for four days.

Meanwhile, villagers and ethnic minorities living in mountainous areas and mountaintops are warmed themselves by the cooking and campfires due to lack of warm clothing.

TNA