Bangkok: Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, has expressed concern over the weather situation in the lower southern region and has directed the Ministry of Transport to expedite damage surveys. The focus is on assessing the impact, planning road repairs, and enhancing waterway efficiency to manage the persistent rains expected to continue into early next year.
According to Thai News Agency, the provinces of Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat are particularly affected as they enter the rainy season later than other parts of the country, enduring rainfall for at least two months while other regions transition into the dry season. Mr. Phiphat highlighted that the heavy rainfall in these areas results from a cold air mass from China interacting with the hot, humid air in the south. This meteorological pattern, marked by a temperature drop in Thailand to around 18-20 degrees Celsius, signals the onset of heavy rain and monsoon winds extending to Malaysia.
Mr. Phiphat emphasized the importance of the Ministry of Transport’s ongoing monitoring until early next year, relying on traditional climate knowledge of the region. He has instructed all relevant agencies, including the Department of Highways, the Department of Rural Roads, and the Marine Department, as well as local agencies, to conduct thorough surveys of disaster-affected areas. These agencies are tasked with assessing damages, especially to roads, bridges, and water drainage systems, and to prepare budgets for necessary repairs. In cases where central funding is unavailable, they are to use remaining funds from the current fiscal year for immediate repairs.
Additionally, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport has been tasked with allocating a budget exceeding 3 billion baht for initial infrastructure repairs. These efforts will be further detailed as floodwaters recede. The focus is on swiftly repairing damaged community roads, village roads, and economic corridors vital to public use. The Marine Department has been directed to evaluate river mouths and canals for issues like sandbars and slow drainage, prioritizing dredging or silt removal to enhance drainage to the sea. These measures aim to better equip the lower southern region to handle upcoming rainfall and mitigate the risk of recurrent flooding, ensuring thorough preparedness by the Ministry of Transport.