Anutin" sits at the head of the meeting to follow up on helping people affected by floods in 2 northern provinces, Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai, emphasizing that the water situation is severe, expediting assistance quickly, using all mechanisms to monitor the incident, and warning people through all channels comprehensively and ready to respond. Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, as the Commander of the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DDPM), chaired the meeting to monitor the flood situation and provide assistance to the affected people in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provinces. This was a joint meeting between the DDPM central office and executives of the two provinces via video conference at the meeting room of the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Headquarters, 5th floor, Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. Mr. Anutin emphasized that with the severe water situation, he asked all relevant units to provide assistance quickly and com prehensively, both in terms of livelihood, taking care of the safety of life and property, and the mental state of those affected. He also expedited the drainage of water from the area so that people could return to their normal lives as soon as possible. During this period, we emphasize using local and regional mechanisms, village headmen, village leaders, community leaders, and volunteers to monitor the situation trends and risk factors that may result in disaster situations, and to create a system to notify people through all channels to cover the area so that they can prepare for possible flood situations. 'I would like to ask the Chiang Rai governor to convey his gratitude to the private hotel operators who opened their areas to help the victims. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior has informed us about this. This is good news amidst the bad news. His kindness in helping the victims has helped to boost the morale of the violent situation. I would like to ask the governor to convey his g ratitude to the operators,' said Mr. Anutin. Mr. Anutin said that for electrical safety, he asked the managers of the Provincial Electricity Authority in the affected areas to urgently inspect risk points from electrical leakage, including large advertising signs and large trees near electric poles. If it is found that there is a risk of danger, he asked them to immediately cut off the electricity and to arrange for administrative officials, community leaders, and civil defense volunteers to jointly inspect and monitor risk areas and flooded areas, especially in communities with elderly people and educational institutions. Please report the impact situation and assistance continuously. Tomorrow (September 12, 2024) at 2:00 p.m., Prime Minister Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra will call a meeting of relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Interior, to follow up on assistance for the people. I will personally bring information from the area to the Prime Minister. I expect to ask for support from the Prime Min ister in many matters, especially in terms of the central budget that must be used to provide assistance to the flood-affected areas as quickly as possible. In this regard, Mr. Anutin gave encouragement to the officers working in the area and emphasized that in terms of resources, if any additional assistance is needed, please inform us. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation is ready to move equipment, machinery, and various facilities to provide support to the flood-affected provinces as quickly as possible. He also urged and asked them to take good care of the deceased and their families. 'Thank you to everyone who has worked hard to resolve the situation. I would like to express my appreciation and encouragement for your safety in carrying out your mission.' Source: Thai News Agency