By Thai Newsroom Reporters
PRIME MINISTER SRETTHA Thavisin today (Oct.3) pledged to see to it that the authorities will practically keep flooding and drought “in balance” to the extent that villagers, farmlands and other property be affected the least possible.
The prime minister said the flooding situation in the northern, northeastern, eastern and central regions which could probably be critical during a monsoon season will be immediately addressed by the authorities to keep farmers, farmlands and houses least affected by such a natural disaster whilst dams and reservoirs in the provinces will contain a sufficient volume of water for future uses.
Srettha said the authorities are yet to practically keep flooding and drought “in balance” either during rainy season or dry season in any agricultural, industrial and residential areas from now over the next six months.
Drought which damages farmlands might probably occur in some districts whereas flooding which wreaks havoc to villagers might take place in other districts of the same province at the same time.
Meanwhile, a few eastern provinces locating Eastern Economic Corridor projects are forecast to be more or less hit by drought around the early part of next year after they have been devastated by flooding at the height of a monsoon season, according to the prime minister.
Industrial factories may be in enormous need of freshwater for the manufacturing of their products, regardless of the current flooding situation in and around the eastern region, Srettha said.
For instance, he said, the authorities have consulted with Siam Cement Group executive officials over measures to keep freshwater sufficiently available for use by those factories.
The prime minister is scheduled to visit villagers in Ubon Ratchathani who are now critically affected by flooding on Friday whilst Deputy Interior Minister Kriang Kantinand, a native of the inundated northeastern province, has instructed the authorities to immediately provide relief measures for the flood victims.
Srettha reassured that the flood victims in the provinces will be immediately and efficiently taken care of by the authorities.
Torrential rain and flash floods have been considerably wreaking havoc to low-lying terrains of over 30 provinces in the northern, northeastern, central and eastern regions during the current monsoon season.
CAPTIONS:
Top and Front Page: Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Photos: Thai Rath
Below: Flooding in Phichit yesterday, Oct. 2, 2023. Photos: Naewna
Also read: Drought ironically hits Nakhon Sawan’s outer district
All nine districts of Sukhothai hit by flash floods
Bridge over Ping river collapses after heavy rain
Tropical Storm Koinu to hit Thailand during Oct. 9-11
Vote against Pita led to Pornthip being turned away from Iceland restaurant: Chaithawat
Appeals Court rejects Anon’s bail request in Section 112 case
One Reply to “PM vows to keep flooding and drought ‘in balance’”