Thailand: B13bn plan for new drought, flood measures
The National Water Resource Commission (NWRC) has given the green light to a 13-billion-baht plan to combat drought and floods as well as improve drainage and water quality in Thailand's key interprovincial canal, Klong Prem Prachakorn.
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The Royal Irrigation Department began restoration efforts last March when it, together with the private sector input, cleared up 27 tonnes of rubbish from a 1.4-km section in northern Bangkok. They also dredged part of the canal in the city's Chatuchak area.
Other projects, to be carried out under the plan include the restoration of Ratchanok lake in Phitsanulok (1.4 billion baht) and Boraphet lake in Nakhon Sawan (5.7 billion baht). "The aim is to increase their storage capacities to protect nearby villages against drought and inundation," [Somkiat Prachamwong, Secretary General of the Office of National Water Resources] said.
The rest of the budget (1.7 billion baht) will be spent on flood-prevention measures in Chumphon, which will benefit more than 16,000 families and also prevent the incursion of salt water onto farmland.
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[Because of El Niño,] rainfall in the country over the next two months will be 5-10% lower than usual, with the driest areas being in the North, according to the office's estimate.
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