Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, in her weekly program “Yingluck Government Meets the People”, revealed that the government is working with an accelerated speed to ensure completion of various flood prevention projects.
This year, construction of 3,000 permanent dikes is planned and expected to be completed by July 15. A project to plant 30 million saplings of vetiver grass in riparian zones is anticipated to be finished in two months’ time. The prime minster also indicated that the combined amount of water in the nation’s dams at present is 44% of their capacity, which is lower than last year but at an acceptable level.
The prime minister also revealed that over 2.1 million rai of land have been prepared as water retention zones to handle floodwater. Canal dredging is also underway and flood barriers along the Tha Jeen (or Tha Chin) River are being fortified. These preparations should be completed by August.
Prime Minister Yingluck also revealed that using a “single command” method in fighting floods has ensured greater efficiency in handling the water situation.
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Dredging Today Staff, July 9, 2012