In early August, flooding in the northeastern province of Nong Khai by the Mekong River inundated at least 6 villages, affecting 2 640 people and causing 13 deaths, while in mid-August, as the Moei River overflowed, thousands of people had to be evacuated in the western province of Tak. Heavy rains in early September caused flash floods and the overflowing of riverbanks in 30 northern and northeastern provinces, damaging roads and housing and bringing the total number of deaths from flooding this year to 78.
Planting of the main rice crop, which started in June, has been completed in northern and central areas, while in the south planting ends this month. Favourable growing conditions from June through August benefited early development of the crop, harvesting of which will begin in November. This crop accounts for about 75 percent of annual rice production. The remainder is produced mainly under irrigation, being planted in January-March and harvested in May-July. Reflecting the good rainfall for the main crop so far, the 2002 output of paddy is provisionally forecast at 27 million tonnes, which is above average. Harvesting of maize is underway and an output of 3.9 million tonnes is expected. This is some 13 percent below the 4.5 million tonnes produced in 2001, reflecting dry conditions in some of the maize growing areas in the north.
Following two successive bumper rice crops and a third one in prospect, exports have been at record levels. In 2002, shipments during the early months of the year were record high, but recently, closures of new sales contracts have slowed down. Nevertheless, aggregate rice exports in 2002 are forecast to remain at the record level of 7.5 million tonnes.