Struggling farmers protest as reservoirs run dry due to drought
- 4 years ago
Desperate farmers gathered in a drought-hit reservoir and demanded authorities release water into their land in Ang Thong, central Thailand.
Footage shows more than a thousand farmers at the dry lake waiting for officials to address their request for water, which is used for agriculture.
The farmers said they had lost their patience after the area has not seen sustained rainfall for several months. They asked for help from the regional government.
Officer Chitsanupong Nilwadeeputtiphat said they wanted to help the farmers but surrounding reservoirs have also dried out.
He said: "We know about the problem that the farmers are facing and we really want to help but it is not possible as the water in our reservoirs is also severely depleted.''
Thailand has been experiencing its worst drought in around four decades. More than half of the major reservoirs in the country already stand below 50 percent of its capacity.
Footage shows more than a thousand farmers at the dry lake waiting for officials to address their request for water, which is used for agriculture.
The farmers said they had lost their patience after the area has not seen sustained rainfall for several months. They asked for help from the regional government.
Officer Chitsanupong Nilwadeeputtiphat said they wanted to help the farmers but surrounding reservoirs have also dried out.
He said: "We know about the problem that the farmers are facing and we really want to help but it is not possible as the water in our reservoirs is also severely depleted.''
Thailand has been experiencing its worst drought in around four decades. More than half of the major reservoirs in the country already stand below 50 percent of its capacity.