Flood situation improving nationwide, says PM

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said this morning that the flood situation nationwide was improving, including in Prachin Buri and Chachoengsao, where the drainage of floodwater would be accelerated as seasonal high tides begin to recede.

In Bangkok, he said a housing estate in Nong Chok district remained heavily flooded and that the city administration was working urgently to drain the water. Officials would begin cleaning roads and homes and clearing rubbish once the floodwater had receded and the roads had dried, he added.

In Ban Sang district of Prachin Buri, the Office of National Water Resources has estimated that it could take about a month for floodwater to drain completely. Anutin, however, said the government would do its best to speed up the process.

Meanwhile, the Royal Irrigation Department said it would gradually reduce the discharge rate at Chao Phraya Dam from 2,300 cubic metres per second at noon today to 2,200 cubic metres per second by 10pm. The rate would then be maintained for a period to ease pressure on downstream areas.

The department said it would continue monitoring water levels upstream of the dam and adjust the discharge rate as necessary, while taking into account the impact on communities downstream.

Pasak Jolasid Reservoir is currently holding 888 million cubic metres of water, equivalent to 102% of its designed capacity, although the volume is declining. This has allowed the department to reduce water releases from both the reservoir and Rama VI Dam to limit the flow into the Chao Phraya River through Pathum Thani and Bangkok before it reaches the Gulf of Thailand.

The Meteorological Department, however, has forecast further rain and isolated heavy downpours from today through Monday in the Northeast, East and South.