Prachin Buri races to dispose of 2,000 pigs killed in floods

Officials in Prachin Buri are working to transport and dispose of the carcasses of approximately 2,000 pigs that perished in recent flooding. The operation is scheduled to conclude by October 7th. On October 6th, the acting provincial governor, Chanathip Khokmani, convened a meeting with livestock officials and local authorities to coordinate the disposal process and ensure it occurred promptly and safely, without impacting public health.

The gathering took place at the provincial agriculture and cooperatives office and included representatives from the Department of Livestock Development, the provincial livestock chief, district officials, and local leaders.

Following the meeting, Chanathip and Chaiwat, along with other officials, visited affected farms in the Muang district to oversee the removal and burial of the carcasses. They also met with the farm owners and inspected the burial sites to ensure compliance with veterinary and sanitation standards. Initially, only 50 carcasses had been removed and buried due to high water levels impeding access to the farms.

On October 6th, additional personnel from the provincial livestock office, its inspection and quarantine division, and nearby animal quarantine stations were deployed. They collaborated with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and local agencies, employing heavy machinery and flat-bottomed boats to transport the carcasses away from the flood zones.

It was initially anticipated that around 1,400 pigs would be buried on October 6th, with the entire operation concluding by October 7th, provided that no storms or other hindrances disrupted the work. A subsequent update from the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Regional Centre 6 in Khon Kaen reported that approximately 1,200 carcasses had been moved, leaving roughly 800 still to be transported.

The centre, which provided personnel and flat-bottomed boats for the operation, stated that work would continue, with the completion still expected by October 7th.

Chanathip emphasized the need for agencies to act swiftly while minimizing environmental and public health impacts. Burial pits must adhere to sanitation standards, and disinfectant should be routinely sprayed around farms, water sources, and surrounding areas to prevent disease, reduce odors, and allay concerns among neighboring communities.

Officials were also directed to closely monitor the health of any surviving pigs. The Department of Livestock Development is evaluating the losses and gathering information to provide aid and compensation to affected farmers in accordance with the applicable rules.

Compensation for deceased or missing animals will be determined based on their species, age, and the prescribed rates. Farmers and residents who discover animal carcasses or require assistance with livestock can reach out to their district or provincial livestock offices or report the incidents through the DLD 4.0 app, available 24/7.