Disaster-alert Plan For Chiang Mai

Disaster-alert plan for Chiang Mai

CHIANG MAI: -- The information and communications technology minister said yesterday he planned to establish a disaster warning system for Chiang Mai residents, with alerts issued through Tambon Internet and mobile phones. The system will give residents the chance to ensure their personal safety and minimise the risk to property if a disaster occurs, Sora-at Klinpratoom said while visiting areas in Chiang Mai badly affected by the recent flooding.

He has yet to set a deadline for implementing the plan.

Chiang Mai Governor Suwat Tantiphat said yesterday the city had not yet returned to normal following the floods. However, a series of restoration works worth Bt100 million has been planned, he added.

Among the planned projects is the reconstruction of the town’s 50-year-old Nakhon Ping Bridge, which was extensively damaged by the floods, said Nakhon Chiang Mai mayor Boonlert Buranapakorn.

“Debris hit the bridge during floods in recent weeks. It has not been decided whether to rebuild or to restore the bridge. But we will make a proposal to the Cabinet to seek budget approval of about Bt16 million,” the mayor said.

Phumtham Wechayachai, deputy transport minister, who also visited Chiang Mai yesterday, said he was considering a project to expand the width of the Ping River in selected areas to allow water to drain easily during heavy rain.

If approved, the project would be conducted at 70 sites along the river, he said.

“After the work, the river will be at least 100 metres wide. Along with this project, we will also try to negotiate with people who have constructed residences which intrude into the river, and convince them to stop this construction,” he added.

In Ubon Ratchathani province, Governor Jeerasak Ketaneeyaboot yesterday announced that evacuation procedures would be tested in areas most at risk from flooding and landslides, in particular Nam Yuen district.

The drills will be carried out on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Buri Ram farmers are still being hit by a serious drought.

Farmers of up to 200,000 rai of paddy fields in eight districts are feeling the brunt of the crisis, with the authorities having to conduct cloud-seeding operations twice a day in an attempt to keep rice fields irrigated.

Farmers owning another 400,000 rai are also waiting for water so they can start growing their next rice crop.

Buri Ram is experiencing its worst water crisis in 48 years, the provincial governor said.

--The Nation 2005-08-21