DPM:Storm Nari slightly affects Thailand

BANGKOK, October 15 (TNA) - Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi, who is also the head of the government-appointed Water Management and Flood Prevention Commission (WMFPC), says that Storm Nari has no significant impacts on Thailand. Plodprasop acknowledged on Tuesday that there may, however, be slight flooding in some areas in the Thai Northeast caused by Storm Nari, after it has reached Vietnam, with the affected areas likely to include Khon Kaen province and Phimai district in Nakhon Ratchasima province due to rising water levels in the Lam Phra Phloeng River. Government Spokesman Teerat Ratanasevi, meanwhile, told journalists that Deputy Premier Plodprasop informed the Thai Cabinet, at its weekly meeting earlier in the day that, there are no concerns over flooding in the Chao Phraya river basin, but some low-lying areas may be inundated at high tide. According to the spokesman, the deputy premier reported to the Cabinet that flooding concerns remain in the Thai East, as about 800 million cubic meters of floodwater have not yet drained into the Bang Pakong River and the drainage is expected to take over a month and locals need elevated walkways. Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has ordered the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives to survey damage and offer compensation to flood-affected households. Adisak Khantee, Director of the Department of Drainage and Sewerage of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), insisted that Storm Nari has not affected the Thai capital, but the storm may increase water in eastern areas of the city and the BMA will be monitoring the water situation again during the next high tide on October 17. (TNA)