(13/09/2012)
The Government is closely monitoring the water situation in the lower North, where floodwaters in certain areas have risen suddenly.
The Cabinet, during its meeting on 11 September 2012, was told about flash floods in the lower North, especially Sukhothai province, which was hit by the overflow of water from the Yom River.
Provincial officials have provided prompt assistance to affected people, and the army was instructed to urgently fix the damaged flood walls in the province. The flooding situation in Sukhothai was caused by cracks under a cement barrier, resulting in floodwaters flowing into Sukhothai's municipal area.
Minister of Science and Technology, Plodprasop Suraswadi, in his capacity as Chairman of the Water and Flood Management Committee, told the Cabinet meeting that the volume of floodwater this year was likely to be 20 percent less than that of last year.
He said that the water level in the Chao Phraya River is now at 1,900 millimeters, compared with 3,000 mm during the same period last year. The Chao Phraya Dam has also released water at a normal level.
Mr. Plodprasop explained that some water still remained in Wang Noi district in Ayutthaya province, because local residents had agreed to store water for rice farming, covering an area of about 10,000 rai, or 4,000 acres, of farmland. This case, he said, was not connected with the Government’s drainage test carried out recently, with water released through Rapeepat Canal in Pathum Thani province.
He said that the water situation in Sukhothai would return to normal soon. Other provinces were told to check their flood barriers, as well, so that damaged barriers would be repaired in time to ensure effective flood protection.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra expressed concern for flood-hit residents and instructed all responsible ministers to keep a close watch on the situation and provide the people with immediate assistance.
She said that warnings had been issued for residents in vulnerable areas, but a number of people there wanted to remain at their houses and did not want to move out even in case of an emergency. She told officials to facilitate evacuation, with emphasis on the safety of the people. Earlier, officials had been told to integrate their flood prevention plans for effective water management.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Health reported that its three public health centers in Sukhothai and Ayutthaya were hit by the flooding, but they were still open for service. Public health offices in the affected provinces were told to arrange mobile medical units to assist flood-hit people. Those located in eight provinces in the Chao Phraya River basin are also on full alert around the clock in preparation for possible floods.
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