Pm Inspects Progress Of “Bangrakam Model”

[Lite Beer]

PM inspects progress of “Bangrakam Model”

PHITSANULOK, Aug 28 - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Sunday followed up operations of the newly set up flood relief centre under the "Bangrakam Model" project, while instructing concerned agencies to urgently distribute financial aid to flood-hit farmers.

The premier visited Phitsanulok province on Sunday, accompanied by Interior Minister Yongyuth Vichaidit, Agricultural Minister Theera Wongsamut, Education Minister Worawat Ua-apinyakul, Energy Minister Pichai Naripthaphan and Public Health Minister Witthaya Buranasiri.

The Bangrakam Model, in Phitsanulok province, is pilot project with a 'war room' being set up by the Interior Ministry to tackle flooding in the area through integrated operations of all concerned agencies. The project is expected to be the model for solving flooding countrywide.

Phitsanulok governor Preecha Ruangchan reported that the province has been severely hit by flood since early May, exacerbated by heavy rains from Nock-Ten tropical storm. Nine districts and about 30,000 households have been affected, with three killed in the prolonged inundation.

The governor however said the situation is now under control, following solutions applied with the Bangrakam Model, while expressing belief that the construction of a large-scale dam will be an index whether the model is effective or not.

The prime minister said the Bangrakam Model will be applied to 30 other flood-hit provinces if the model is proved to be efficient in Phitsanulok, so that operations to tackle flood problems will be integrated nationwide.

Ms Yingluck also noted she is satisfied with the performance of local authorities in solving flood problems under the Bangrakam Model.

Regarding the proposal of the governor on dam construction, the premier said she needs to consider the overall aspects again and will discuss long-term solutions to the flood in September.

The premier however said the Bangrakam Model may not answer all questions in the long run, as more improvements on the project still need to be made. But the model is a one stop service operation which clearly delineates a responsible agency to solve the problems.

Meanwhile, flooding has eased in the northern province of Chiang Rai, but more than 300 houses in Mae Chan and Chiang Saen districts remained submerged. This is the third round of flooding in three weeks, and over 20,000 rais (8,000 acres) of farmland have been damaged.

Shettha Mosikrat, head of the local Disaster Prevention and Mitigation office, warned local residents residing at foothills and low-lying areas near waterways to beware of flash flood and landslide.

The northern province of Phichit has also been hard hit by flooding. Some 90 houses in Rangnok subdistrict have been cut off from the outside world and faced shortages of food and drinking water.

Lieam Thantha, a village head in this subdistrict called for the government to help dredge a canal and reinforce soil embankment along the canal to relieve flooding in the area.

The water level in the Yom River passing through the province has already surpassed the critical level. Flooding has extended to 12 villages, affecting up to 1,000 houses.

In Taphan Hin district, the overflowing Nan River and forest run-off from the Phetchabun mountain range flowing into canals triggered flood in 50 villages as high as two metres.

More than 400 houses in Ngiewrai sub-district have been under flood waters as deep as almost three metres.

Winai Pongchinada, director of the irrigation office in Chiang Mai ordered two dams to stop releasing water to reduce the effects on downstream provinces.

In the northeastern province of Ubon Ratchathani, the provincial governor Surapol Saiphan inspected the water level in the Mun River which is stable but is likely to rise in the next few days when runoff from the north into the Chee River will converge with the Mun River.

Some 17 families living along the Mun Noi River were forced to move to an evacuation centre in the Ubon Ratchathani municipality.

Regarding the water management plan, the governor said water in the Mun River will be pumped out to water retention areas to reduce the water volume in the river in preparation for forecasted new storms. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-08-28

[daninthai]

If you can't live in an area for 12 months a year, year after year, then people should stop trying to do so. The only financial assistance they should get is money for a bus ticket out.

[rubl]

maybe a bit of reforesting and moving people from the lowest parts may help a bit. Some trees only need a few years to be able to hold earth between their toes and absorb moisture. How much forest was there 50 years ago and how much flooding?