KALASIN: — Thailand’s north-eastern province of Kalasin on Tuesday declared 18 districts disaster zones due to a severe cold spell, as more than 300,000 provincial residents are lacking sufficient warm clothing.

The cold weather continues to cover the province, especially areas in the Phuphan mountain range and rural areas.

As the Thai Meteorology Department issued warnings that local temperatures will drop even further, provincial authorities declared 18 districts as disaster zones.

It is reported that 170,000 households or over 300,000 people have been affected by the cold spell, while five fatalities have been confirmed in the provincial seat, Yang Talat and Somdet districts.

Currently, local agencies-concerned are speeding up assistance to cold-imated residents.