Bangkok: "Thongsak" is set to address the challenges of floods and droughts by proposing nine strategic measures to the Cabinet, specifically targeting the Northeast. The high water levels in the Mekong River, attributed to upstream dams releasing water without prior notification, are a significant concern.
According to Thai News Agency, Deputy Prime Minister Songsak Thongsri recently outlined a comprehensive water management plan for the 20 northeastern provinces. In a meeting with relevant agencies last week, he issued instructions for the preparedness of all provinces with preventative measures and emergency assistance protocols. These measures, which will be submitted to the Cabinet for approval, are based on lessons learned from past incidents. They include setting up temporary shelters and implementing relief strategies, especially in regions previously affected by floods. Additionally, there are ongoing plans to manage flooding and drought effectively in natural watershed areas.
Mr. Songsak elaborated that Thailand's 22 river basins face challenges of flooding due to excess water and drought from insufficient water supply. He emphasized the need for simultaneous solutions for both problems. Reservoirs could be constructed to store excess water, preventing both flooding and drought. However, there are challenges, such as dealing with the excavated soil from natural water sources, which is considered government property and must be stored properly. This situation often hinders local authorities from advancing with such projects.
When discussing the potential legal amendments regarding the use of excavated soil, the Deputy Prime Minister pointed out that although there was a past notice from the Ministry of Interior allowing contractors to use the soil, its recent valuation has complicated matters. He urged the government to expedite amending the notice so that the value of the soil could be deducted from the dredging costs, thereby facilitating quicker project implementation.
Addressing concerns about the Mekong River's water levels, Mr. Songsak highlighted that upstream dam releases have disrupted the natural water flow, causing capacity issues. He stressed the importance of upstream countries notifying Thailand before releasing water so that preventive measures could be arranged. Historically, notifications have come only after the water was released.
On the topic of establishing a separate Ministry of Water Resources, Mr. Songsak described it as a conceptual idea with no immediate obstacles to its pursuit, suggesting that current structures might suffice for addressing water management challenges.