Temperatures Plummet Further In North, Northeast

[Flashermac]

The Public Health Ministry is urging people, especially children and the elderly, to keep warm, as temperatures in the North and Northeast dropped by a further 4 to 6 degrees Celsius yesterday. A total of 63 deaths have been reported in 27 provinces over the last three months due to the cold spell.

 

The Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park in Phitsanulok's Nakhon Thai district reported its lowest temperature in the last 20 years yesterday: -3 degrees Celsius. With an average temperature of 5 degrees, the national park experienced up to two centimetres of thick frost, covering a three-kilometre stretch from the Political and Military School, stationed near the park's office, to Rong Khla Village.

 

At Chiang Mai's Royal Agricultural Station Angkhang, which recorded a temperature of -3 degrees Celsius, throngs of tourists enjoyed the chilly weather and plants such as wild Himalayan cherry blossom. There were similar scenes at Doi Inthanon National Park where guesthouses were fully booked until early February. Temperatures there were recorded at -1 degree Celsius.

 

Loei's 14 districts also suffered from the cold spell, especially Phu Reu district, which reported temperatures of between -4 to -2 degree Celsius in highland areas.

 

Disease Control Department chief Dr Sopon Mekthon said 45 provinces had been declared disaster zones, affecting 25 million people. The 63 deaths from the cold spell were recorded between October 22 and January 19. Fifty-nine of the fatalities were Thai, while one was Cambodian, one Laotian, one British and one of unknown nationality. Public Health Ministry permanent secretary, Dr Narong Sahametapat, said heavy drinkers and people with chronic illnesses were most at risk.

 

 

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