Bangkok:Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul has endorsed the proposal to create water retention ponds around Bangkok, aiming to tackle both flooding and drought challenges.
According to Thai News Agency, Anutin has instructed the Department of Public Works to study the feasibility of constructing these "flood control reservoirs." He believes that the project will benefit both flood control and drought mitigation and confirmed that there is an existing budget to support the initiative.
The proposed water retention ponds are part of a broader water storage and drainage strategy under the Royal Irrigation Department's policy. Anutin plans to involve the National Water Resources Office in exploring the expansion of areas for such ponds. The project was discussed after Atthawich Suwannaphakdee, a party-list MP from the Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party, presented his proposal for flood control reservoirs around Bangkok.
Anutin emphasized the importance of these ponds as dual-purpose facilities for water retention and storage, crucial for transitioning from the flooding period to the dry season. He stressed the urgency of studying the proposal and confirmed that nationwide water storage projects are already being supported by the government in collaboration with local authorities. Maximizing water storage is seen as essential for ensuring water availability during the dry season.