Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has expressed her concerns over the flood crisis in the South of Thailand while instructing related agencies to monitor the water levels and find protective measures to ease the plight of southern residents.
Ms. Yingluck has instructed the Thai National Committee on Irrigation and Drainage to consult with the Ministry of Science and Technology to hammer out a solution to the flood problem down south. The committee was also encouraged to be in touch with all southern provincial governors in order to acquire prompt updates on the local flood situations.
The premier stated that she was particularly concerned by the flood’s potential impact on people’s farmlands and crops.
Science and Technology Minister Prodprasop Suraswadi said the sudden flooding in the South is due to poor city planning. His conclusion was derived from discussions with related agencies, which explained to him that over-construction of ring roads and bad planning in the region are to blame.
Therefore, the Minister has proposed that main waterways in the North and the South should be blocked to prevent flooding. He claimed that the operation could be carried out right away if approved.
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Dredging Today Staff, June 15, 2012