Authorities accelerate flows in the Mun River

Bangkok, Aug 14 (TNA) – The Royal Irrigation Department installed water jet propulsion drives in the Mun River to accelerate its flows into the Mekong River to relieve the hardships of flood victims. Thongplew Kongjun, deputy director-general of the department, said that 38 flow accelerators were installed at the Phibun Mangsahan Bridge in Phibun Mangsahan district of Ubon Ratchathani province. The department started the machines at 9pm last night. Earlier, the department prevented the peak flows of the Mun River and the Chi River from adjoining in Muang district, Ubon Ratchathani. Its officials firstly slowed down the currents of the Mun River to accelerate the flows of the Chi River into the Mekong River. The peak amount of water in the Chi River already flowed into the Mekong River. In addition to the operation of the newly installed water jet propulsion drives, Mr Thongplew increased the water discharge at the Rasi Salai dam in Si Sa Ket province to accelerate the flows of the Mun River by 15-20%. He said that the acceleration was effective as the level of the Mekong River was one meter below the level of the Mun River and it was not raining. He expected floodwater to disappear from the Northeast in two weeks. (TNA)