Prime Minister pushes for floods to be added to national agenda

[snoop1130]

 

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has urged all departments to join forces to avoid potential floods in this year's rainy season. He's also considering making flood control a national focus.

 

The Prime Minister's directive came after a meeting with top government officials. The attendees included Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers of Commerce and Environment, Phumtham Wechayachai and Phatcharavat Wongsuwan respectively, along with Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister, Thamanat Prompow; Secretary-General of the National Water Resources, Surasee Kittimonthon; and Bangkok's Governor, Chadchart Sittipunt. The meeting was held to discuss preparations for the rainiest part of the year.

 

The Prime Minister received updates on the existing rain and flood conditions across the country, the measures taken to minimise natural disaster risks, and planned assistance for disaster-affected residents.

 

Mr. Thavisin said, "I want all sectors to provide a detailed action timeline and set a clear performance goal."

 

Surasee informed the Prime Minister that with the expected increase in rain intensity in the upcoming months, particularly around Bangkok, floods were a likelihood.

 

Agriculture Minister Thamanat highlighted that the present government lacks a framework to handle flood-related emergencies. He proposed setting up emergency response centers in every area which the Prime Minister supported as a government effort.

 

Mr. Thavisin stated that floods and other weather-related issues, like drought, should be elevated to the national agenda for better long-term planning.

 

He emphasized on unity in collaboration during the rainy season, which extends for another three months, and the importance of minimizing flood impact.

 

Acknowledging that floods occur annually, he still hoped for a year without extensive flooding. However, he stressed the importance of adequately stocked medical supplies for emergencies.

 

Paitoon Kengkarnchang, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Water Resources, warned of potential floods from downpours in August and September. He also added that with proper preparation, the government could handle such disasters effectively.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-06-21

 

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[dinsdale]

3 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

He emphasized on unity in collaboration during [1] the rainy season, which [2] extends for another three months, and the [3] importance of minimizing flood impact.

One: Wet season hasn't started. Two: The wet will continue into October so at least a month off there about. Three: This is the big one; the drainage systems in villages, towns and cities are fkd.

[tubber]

11 hours ago, dinsdale said:

One: Wet season hasn't started. Two: The wet will continue into October so at least a month off there about. Three: This is the big one; the drainage systems in villages, towns and cities are fkd.

The wet season has started. According to the Meteorological Department the Summer season ended on the 20th May and the Rainy season commenced.

[hotchilli]

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has urged all departments to join forces to avoid potential floods in this year's rainy season. He's also considering making flood control a national focus.

Actually it might be better if he is removed.

[Srikcir]

More than a decade ago - no progress.

• Special Report: The making of flood prevention plan, Format News and Press Release Govt. Thailand 7 May 2012 
• Thai PM Lays Out Three-Part Flood Recovery Plan November 07, 2011 
• Prayut extols water management plan, Format News and Press Release 13 Jun 2019 
• PM calls for all-out efforts by state agencies to deal with floods, mitigate their impact on the people, October 03, 2022

But the politically weakest PM in the last two decades pushes for a plan. Seriously?

 

[herfiehandbag]

12 hours ago, dinsdale said:

One: Wet season hasn't started. Two: The wet will continue into October so at least a month off there about. Three: This is the big one; the drainage systems in villages, towns and cities are fkd.

In Chiang Rai a lot of investment was put into various flood relief schemes, canals, holding ponds etc over the last few years. These are now utterly clogged with vegetation and rubbish.

 

When the rains really start, and the flood prevention channels overflow resulting in floods, then the disaster mitigation people in their brand new orange pick ups and trucks ( which have been parked up "resting" in the shade for the last six months) will leap into action and ineffectually attempt to deal with the floods - as they do every rainy season.

 

Keep the drains clear of vegetation. No don't be silly!

[Presnock]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

 

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has urged all departments to join forces to avoid potential floods in this year's rainy season. He's also considering making flood control a national focus.

 

The Prime Minister's directive came after a meeting with top government officials. The attendees included Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers of Commerce and Environment, Phumtham Wechayachai and Phatcharavat Wongsuwan respectively, along with Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister, Thamanat Prompow; Secretary-General of the National Water Resources, Surasee Kittimonthon; and Bangkok's Governor, Chadchart Sittipunt. The meeting was held to discuss preparations for the rainiest part of the year.

 

The Prime Minister received updates on the existing rain and flood conditions across the country, the measures taken to minimise natural disaster risks, and planned assistance for disaster-affected residents.

 

Mr. Thavisin said, "I want all sectors to provide a detailed action timeline and set a clear performance goal."

 

Surasee informed the Prime Minister that with the expected increase in rain intensity in the upcoming months, particularly around Bangkok, floods were a likelihood.

 

Agriculture Minister Thamanat highlighted that the present government lacks a framework to handle flood-related emergencies. He proposed setting up emergency response centers in every area which the Prime Minister supported as a government effort.

 

Mr. Thavisin stated that floods and other weather-related issues, like drought, should be elevated to the national agenda for better long-term planning.

 

He emphasized on unity in collaboration during the rainy season, which extends for another three months, and the importance of minimizing flood impact.

 

Acknowledging that floods occur annually, he still hoped for a year without extensive flooding. However, he stressed the importance of adequately stocked medical supplies for emergencies.

 

Paitoon Kengkarnchang, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Water Resources, warned of potential floods from downpours in August and September. He also added that with proper preparation, the government could handle such disasters effectively.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-06-21

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

dreaming for sure.  Water seeks the lowest point, so rivers normally flow to the oceans and when any obstruction built (I.e.) towering buildings, raised highways, houses, etc. the waters usually begin to back up and eventually it will lead to flooding somewhere.  Sometimes dams are built to FLOOD a large area to collect the backed up waters, and then just when one thinks they have done that solution, a drought occurs like this year here and there is not enough water left in the dams to support farmers. or the dams break and horrible flooding results.  Better water mangement needs to be put into effect and after hundreds of years of annual flooding, one would think some positive resulting projects or management would occur or maybe not...for those affected either negatively or positively - good luck with increased record rains.

[Emdog]

Floods: is government fer 'em or agin' em?

[ikke1959]

He must not put floods on the agenda, but he should measures to prevent floods and watermanagement on the agenda...

[Captor]

5 hours ago, Srikcir said:

More than a decade ago - no progress.

• Special Report: The making of flood prevention plan, Format News and Press Release Govt. Thailand 7 May 2012 
• Thai PM Lays Out Three-Part Flood Recovery Plan November 07, 2011 
• Prayut extols water management plan, Format News and Press Release 13 Jun 2019 
• PM calls for all-out efforts by state agencies to deal with floods, mitigate their impact on the people, October 03, 2022

But the politically weakest PM in the last two decades pushes for a plan. Seriously?

 

Thailand - The hub of plans