Initial assistance given to flood victims in Northeast

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Aug 22 (TNA) - The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives gives initial assistance to flood victims 3,000 baht per household before the post-flood rehabilitation programme will be implemented after the completion of crop damage survey. Agriculture Minister Chatchai Sarikulya said the Interior Ministry is conducting survey on the damage by flooding in the Northeast and after that, the Agriculture Ministry will provide further assistance to affected residents. Regarding the water management in the central region, he said the prime minister agreed in principle that the long-term plan will expedited and implemented next year with an increase of 6.8-billion-baht budget. The plan will be proposed to the water management committee before it will be forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration. Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, Chatchai Promlert said about the water situation in Sing Buri, Angthong and Ayutthaya that it is normal that flood occurs in areas outside the flood embankment. Irrigation officials warned local residents about the flood, he said adding that it is not caused by the discharge of the large amount of water from the Chao Phraya dam by 1500 cubic meters per day. (TNA)