Buri Ram: Around 300 households in three villages in Muang district have been forced to buy water as the area's groundwater has dried up because of the prolonged drought.
Residents of the old and new Ban Nong Makhuea neighbourhood, as well as Ban Nong Hua Ling rely on groundwater as the area isn't connected to local water pipelines, despite being located near Huai Jorakhe Mak reservoir, which provides water for Muang district.
As a result, most residents in the neighbourhoods depend on the water collected during the rainy season to supplement the water from local wells during the drier months.
This year's dry spell, however, has taken its toll on local groundwater sources, forcing residents to shell out cash to buy water for household consumption.
Somyin Lubram, a health volunteer in Ban Nong Hua Ling, said she has repeatedly asked local authorities to connect the neighbourhood to the local water pipeline.
The pipes were partially laid four years ago, but the project was never completed.
The residents are calling on the government to finish the project. They said it was their hope to one day have a tap water system like other nearby villages.
Krittana Urairam, village chief of Ban Nong Hua Ling, said tambon Sakaeprong administrative organisation has been granted a budget to finish installing the tap water system. He said the work is expected to resume soon.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department said this year's rainy season will begin in the fourth week of May -- two weeks later than usual -- and end in late October.