Prime minister assures government has its water management plan

BANGKOK, Oct 18 (TNA) -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said that his government had immediate and long-term water management plans and would take good care of flood victims. “I assure that the government will do its best to solve immediate and long-term water problems. I have ordered relevant organizations to monitor the levels of Chi and Mun rivers and the Ubonrat dam to plan good measures. Water must be discharged from the Ubonrat dam because it is full,” Gen Prayut said. He said people living outside floodwall areas will be affected as major dams are discharging water to prevent flooding in important areas including Bangkok. He promised the government would arrange for suitable compensation for affected people. “Do not abuse the water management issue to create any political gain or loss,” the prime minister warned. He said that the government had plans to divert water from the North through the eastern and western parts of the Central Plain into the sea but the implementation of the plans would be costly and time-consuming. Gen Prayut also asked people to properly handle their garbage because it blocked waterways and flood drainage. (TNA)