Bangkok: The government has instructed the Department of Livestock Development to prepare an evacuation plan to handle emergency situations and warned livestock farmers to be vigilant against disease outbreaks during the flooding period. The government has unveiled its plan to cope with the rainy season, ordering the Department of Livestock Development to prepare evacuation plans and emergency response strategies. It also warned livestock farmers to be vigilant against disease outbreaks during floods.
According to Thai News Agency, Lieutenant Colonel Patthadarasmi Thongsalooykorn, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that due to continuous rainfall that may affect agricultural areas and livestock farmers nationwide, the government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, has urgently instructed the Department of Livestock Development to upgrade disaster preparedness measures to the fullest extent in order to minimize potential losses and to develop a systematic emergency response plan, focusing first on areas at risk of flooding.
Regarding the evacuation plan, instructions were given to prepare elevated areas and temporary animal shelters to accommodate heavy rainfall. Coordination with local authorities is crucial for expediting animal relocation in case of flash flooding. Sufficient supplies of animal feed, livestock relief packages, vaccines, and veterinary equipment must also be ensured. Furthermore, mobile veterinary units, along with mobile units, have been ordered to reach affected areas urgently.
The deputy spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office stated that the humid and rapidly changing weather during the rainy season directly affects the health of livestock such as cattle, buffaloes, pigs, goats, sheep, and poultry. This causes stress and lowers the immune system, making the animals more susceptible to illness. Therefore, farmers are urged to closely observe their livestock for any unusual symptoms such as lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, coughing, sneezing, or abnormal mortality rates. If any of these symptoms are observed, farmers should immediately notify local livestock officials. Furthermore, farmers in flood-prone areas are requested to closely follow the preventative measures issued by the Department of Livestock Development.