National —
On July 30th, 2024, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin addressed the ongoing heavy rainfall causing flooding in the northeastern and eastern regions of Thailand.
The Thai Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and relevant agencies to manage the water situation comprehensively. On August 5th, Srettha will hold a meeting at the Royal Irrigation Department to discuss short, medium, and long-term water management plans to prevent future flooding.
Minister of Agriculture Thammanat Prompao reported that while the situation in the east is under control, the northeast may face severe issues. He is set to inspect the northeastern regions to prepare for recurring floods.
Additionally, the Ministry of Defense was instructed to work with relevant agencies to deploy military assistance in flood-affected areas, particularly those prone to recurring floods, to enhance preventive measures.
The Minister of Agriculture noted that the northern rivers, Ping, Wang, Yom, and Nan, which flow into the Chao Phraya basin, are currently manageable. However, the northeast, receiving water from multiple tributaries, has more water than last year.
The Thai government is closely managing and monitoring these tributaries to minimize impact on agriculture and households. In the east, heavy rainfall last week affected residents in Trat and Chanthaburi. While four out of seven reservoirs are overflowing, the situation remains manageable, with the remaining three reservoirs retaining water for future use, remarked the Minister of Agriculture.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.
