Bangkok: Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Thailand's Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, is intensively overseeing the situation of the Yom and Mekong rivers, with accelerated restoration initiatives underway in Nan province as floodwaters begin to recede.
According to Thai News Agency, the Minister has tasked Mr. Witthaya Kaewmee, Director-General of the Royal Irrigation Department, with providing detailed reports on the current state of the river basins. The emphasis is placed on vigilant monitoring and the readiness of personnel and machinery to respond promptly to any potential flooding threats. In Nan province, efforts are focused on evaluating agricultural damage and facilitating compensation for affected areas, with plans for a high-profile visit by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Agriculture to Pua District scheduled for August 23rd.
The Director-General highlighted that special attention is being paid to Sukhothai province, particularly the city of Sukhothai, where the Yom River's drainage capacity is approximately 510 cubic meters per second. The Royal Irrigation Department is actively managing water control measures at the Hat Saphan Chan sluice gate, with senior officials on-site to oversee the situation. Although current assessments suggest the situation remains manageable, ongoing rainfall necessitates continuous vigilance.
For the Mekong River, irrigation offices across the bordering provinces have been instructed to keep a close watch on water levels and employ predictive forecasts to alert local communities of any impending flood risks. The Royal Irrigation Department assures that all necessary machinery and equipment are on standby to provide aid when needed.
In the recovering Nan province, the Royal Irrigation Department is expediting recovery operations, deploying water pumps to alleviate flooding in low-lying areas, aiming to restore normalcy swiftly and reduce public impact. Additionally, Mr. Suriya has directed the Ministry of Agriculture's agencies to expedite damage assessments for affected farmers to ensure timely support in line with the Ministry of Finance's guidelines.
Mr. Suriya's upcoming visit alongside Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to Pua District underscores the government's commitment to supporting flood-affected communities and overseeing ongoing recovery efforts. This visit follows Mr. Suriya's previous engagement in the region, where he assessed the flood situation and water management strategies.