Bangkok:Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has taken significant steps to address ongoing flood challenges across Thailand. He chaired a meeting at the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command Center, with ministers, government officials, and provincial governors in attendance, to assess the flood situation and devise strategies for relief.
According to Thai News Agency, During the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasized the need for a coordinated response to manage inter-provincial flood challenges effectively. He highlighted that while some regions, such as Prachinburi and Chachoengsao, are still facing severe flooding, others are seeing improvements with water levels receding. The Prime Minister called for close monitoring and comprehensive assistance in areas still experiencing difficulties.
The Prime Minister instructed provincial governors to collaborate beyond their jurisdictions, sharing information with neighboring regions to facilitate systematic water management. The goal is to optimize water drainage plans and ensure the efficient transfer of water between provinces, with the cooperation of military units and the Royal Irrigation Department.
Attention was also directed towards the southern provinces, where there is a possibility of increased rainfall. The Prime Minister urged preparation based on past experiences, like the Hat Yai floods, to ensure that supply chains remain intact and essential resources such as food and water are accessible.
In terms of financial relief, the Prime Minister reported that payments totaling over 94 million baht have been approved for 10,400 households. He stressed the importance of a swift and accurate verification process to expedite funds to affected families. Additionally, he urged the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation to refine its data verification system to facilitate prompt disbursements.
The National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command has assessed that rainfall levels remain manageable, though increased vigilance is necessary in the South due to expected heavy rains. The Chao Phraya Dam and the Mae Klong River have adjusted their water release rates to manage downstream impacts and will continue to monitor the situation closely.
Moreover, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is addressing the burial of approximately 2,000 pigs that died due to flooding in Prachinburi province, implementing strict measures to prevent disease spread.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of enhancing public communication to manage expectations and reduce anxiety, as well as preventing conflicts over water management. He called for proactive measures to maintain public order and a seamless inter-provincial water management plan to mitigate flood impacts effectively.