Critical flood situation in Thailand

Thailand’s Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has instructed cabinet ministers and Pheu Thai MPs to visit and stay overnight in flood affected areas because the flooding is now at critical levels, reports said.

Ms. Yingluck on Thursday morning chaired a video conference meeting on the flood situation with governors of Chiang Mai, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen and Mahasarakham.

The Chiang Mai governor reported that the floods in the districts of Sankampaeng, Mae Taeng, Mae On and San Sai were controllable. The only concern at this time was the flooding in Muang district, where there is nowhere to drain the water. However, if there is no more rain the floodwaters would soon recede.

Governors of Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen and Mahasarakham reported that the flood situation in their provinces was manageable. However, the the Ubonrat Dam in Khon Kaen is now full to over capacity at 102 percent. If there is more rain, the dam will have to release water and Muang municipality could be inundated. But Khon Kaen officials had built a flood wall around the province’s economic zone to minimize the possible damage.

The prime minister has instructed ministers and Pheu Thai MPs to visit the flood hit provinces to ensure that assistance from the government had reached the flood victims. The ministers should stay in the flooded areas for at least one night to closely follow the situation.