Water management in Phetchaburi dam slows down flood

BANGKOK, Aug 6 (TNA) – Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Kritsada Boonrat is satisfied with the operations to slow down water from flowing into the spillway of the Kaeng Krachan Dam, so locals downstream have time to prepare and move their belongings to higher ground. Irrigation officials have drained the excess water from the dam through sluice gates, siphons and hydraulic water pumps to keep the water level below the spillway. The water management can postpone floodwater in the Phetchaburi River from overflowing its banks into low-lying areas in the Phetchburi provincial seat. Meanwhile, water pushing machines were installed at the estuary of the Phetchaburi River to speed up water flow into the sea, so the river can receive more water from the Kaeng Krachan dam. The minister said if the water level in the dam reached the emergency spillway, the water flow and its direction can be handled. The Royal Irrigation Department confirmed that the water will not spill over the top of the dam and cause a disaster. There is also another dam, the Phetchaburi Dam, to slow down floodwater in the Phetchaburi River and to relieve impacts on people living downstream. People are warned not to panic and monitor the water situation closely. Local residents have prepared for flooding, moving their belongings and livestock to higher ground. (TNA)