Tham Luang cave closed for rehabilitation

CHIANG RAI, July 12 (TNA) – The Department of Natural Parks announced six-month closure of the Tham Luang in Chiang Rai for restoration of the ecology system in a wake of the weeks-long rescue mission for the young football players and their coach. Deputy Director-General of the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, Jongklai Worapongsatorn, said the rescue site will be rehabilitated to bring the environment back to its normal. Officials have removed equipment from the cave. However, some need to be left inside due to high level of flood water. The rehabilitation is likely to take 6 months to one year. The plan has been submitted to the minister of Environment and Natural Resources, he said. The work will be done under supervision of cave experts, officials from the Department of Mineral Resources and the Department of Groundwater Resources. Dike system will be removed immediately and three shafts, drilled on the mountainside will be filled up. The zoning of the cave area will be designated and the water level monitoring system will be installed for flood warning in the future. (TNA)