National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department on Thursday warned of harsh winter in 11 provinces in the North and Northeast regions of Thailand.

Viboon Sanguanphong, Director of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, said based on the weather forecast by Meteorological Department, which predicted the worst winter in 30 years, the Department has set up a relief center and coordinated with governors in disaster-prone provinces for the preparation.

Eleven provinces, which are expected to encounter severe winter, include northern provinces of Tak, Mae Hongsorn, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Payao and Nan as well as northeastern provinces of Loei, Udon Thani, Nongkhai, Sakhon Nakorn and Nakhon Phanom.

Local people who are affected by the wintry weather could contact relief center hotline at 1784 around the clock.