“Thammanat” orders the Royal Irrigation Department to monitor flooding and overflows from 15-20 July.

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, The Minister of Agriculture has ordered the Royal Irrigation Department to closely monitor areas at risk of flash floods, forest runoff, and river overflows during July 15-20, as the ONWR has announced a warning of heavy to very heavy rain in some areas, especially July 15-18, when the Meteorological Department expects as many as 71 provinces to be at risk. He also emphasized the need to be especially vigilant because there are three factors that will cause unstable weather conditions. Lt. Col. Thammanat Prompao, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, said that he has ordered Mr. Chuchart Rakchit, Director-General of the Royal Irrigation Department, to closely monitor the water situation as the Meteorological Department has announced that there will be heavy to very heavy rain between July 15 and 18. He also stated that this is a period that requires special monitoring because there are three factors that cause the weather to be unstable: the strong monsoon, the monsoon trough p assing through the lower northern, upper central, and northeastern regions, as well as a strong low-pressure cell covering the upper part of Thailand. Therefore, people should be careful of heavy rain, flash floods, and forest runoff. The Royal Irrigation Department will be called to a meeting to monitor the progress of the 'water map' nationwide as ordered because systematic water management to prevent both floods and droughts requires maps of water routes of both main rivers and tributaries, from the source to the sea, including water canals that will enter farmers' fields. Mr. Chuchart Rakjit, Director-General of the Royal Irrigation Department, said that the Royal Irrigation Department's Smart Water Operation Center (SWOC) monitors weather conditions, including water situations in risk areas as assessed by the Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) by analyzing the water situation using forecasted rainfall and forecasting flood risk areas. It was found that there are flood risk areas during 15-20 Jul y 2024 in the northern, northeastern, eastern, and southern regions. At the same time, it is emphasized that the irrigation project must closely monitor and follow the water situation, including weather conditions from the Meteorological Department, especially areas with accumulated rainfall of more than 90 millimeters in a 24-hour period, and areas at risk of flooding that are frequent or urban communities that are flooded and cannot be drained quickly. They must also prepare a flood response plan by inspecting the stability and strength of the irrigation buildings to ensure efficient use, managing water to be within control, and adjusting drainage to be consistent with the situation. They must also prepare personnel, machinery, tools, and backup communication systems, and integrate with relevant agencies to publicize and warn of the water situation so that they can provide timely assistance to the public. They must also strictly adhere to the 10 measures to cope with the rainy season in 2024. Source: Tha i News Agency