Nong Khai —
On September 14th, 2024, Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of the Interior, Anutin Charnvirakul, along with relevant officials, visited flood-affected areas in Nong Khai to assess the situation and offer support to victims.
Anutin publicly revealed that water levels in Nong Khai reached 1.40 meters, flooding five districts, largely due to rising water from the Mekong River, which flows from Chiang Rai. Should additional rainfall occur, water levels could rise by another 20-30 centimeters, potentially causing flooding in the town center, said Anutin.
Anutin stated that despite massive water releases from dams in China and Laos, water management remains effective, with the main challenges stemming from smaller rivers obstructed by roads, bridges, and other barriers. He reassured the public that local authorities are prepared, with sufficient resources, machinery, and evacuation plans in place, similar to the response in Chiang Rai.
Anutin also emphasized the importance of balancing the safety of lives with protecting citizens’ property, acknowledging that evacuation is often difficult when people are concerned about their belongings. He urged local officials and volunteers to ensure security for those who evacuated.
Additionally, Anutin confirmed that financial aid was already approved by Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, with 100 million baht allocated to both Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provinces. The Ministry of Finance is also reviewing further compensation for damaged homes in consultation with the Budget Bureau and the National Economic and Social Development Council.
Read about Thai PM Paetongtarn and her team visiting Chiang Rai.
During the visit, Anutin and his team distributed 350 survival kits in Wiang Khuk subdistrict and 450 kits in Mueang District, including supplies from the Thai Red Cross, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), and local authorities. The team also visited key flood zones and water management sites to review ongoing efforts.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.
