Floods receding in Thailand

BANGKOK, Oct 29 (TNA) -- The Thai government spokesman said that the flooding situation in the three provinces downstream from the Chao Phraya Dam is easing, noting that the government is prepared to immediately revive the affected areas and provide assistance to victims of the floods, while planning to use the stored water from this rainy season to help alleviate drought next year. Government spokesman Lt Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd said that the water level at the low lying plain near the Chao Phraya River in the downstream area of the Chao Phraya Dam of Sapaya district of Chai Nat province, the provincial seat and In Buri district of Sing Buri province, as well as Pa Mok district in Ang Thong province has receded below its banks, signalling a return to normalcy in the areas, as the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) was able to efficiently manage the high volume of water above the dam. He said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has reiterated to all province to immediately revive affected areas after the flooding has lifted, as well as to provide assistance to affected victims and farmers in accordance will the rules and regulations set by the government. Lt Gen Sansern further noted that Gen Prayut has also tasked the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to lay out plans to manage the stored water from this rainy season to assist in agriculture and farming in the next drought season, which is set to begin on November 1, as some water has already stored in the irrigation system. The spokesman reported the water level in the four main dams of the country, saying that the combined volume of water in all main dams currently stands at 9.6 billion cubic metres, which would be more than adequate for public consumption, farming, and the maintaining of the ecological system in the Chao Phraya River basin. (TNA)