Bang Rakam Water Plan Fast-Tracked: Phitsanulok

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Bang Rakam water plan fast-tracked

By The Nation

Model aims to store water to counter drought and fight flood problems: PM

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's visit to flood-hit Phitsanulok yesterday raised hope that the Bang Rakam model, an integrated water-management solution, would be implemented as early as next year.

"I hope the Bang Rakam model will become an effective example for other areas to follow," Yingluck was quoted as saying.

According to Phitsanulok Governor Preecha Ruangjan, the Bang Rakam model will be an integrated solution to tackle both floods and drought via efficient water management.

Information technology would be used to closely monitor water levels and analyse water-related situations.

"The model will integrate efforts from relevant authorities in the mission," he said. "In the event of floods, assistance and compensation will be given quickly to the affected people."

Floods have affected 33,722 families and ravaged 321,001 rai of their farmland in Phitsanulok.

Yingluck said the speedy handout of assistance was necessary.

She said 29 flood-hit farmers had been identified as possible suicide risks.

A highlight of the plan was to create the Bang Rakam Water-Retention Area, which will cover over 160,000 rai of land in Phitsanulok and Sukhothai, with a budget of Bt5 billion. Although the new water-retention area would leave more than 10,000 families faced with flooding for a certain period during the year, none would need to relocate because the floodwater wouldn't be too high.

Preecha said locals had no objection to the Bang Rakam Water-Retention Area.

Yingluck has emphasised the need to have a water-retention area, because it would solve not just floods but also drought.

"We should think about keeping surplus water for use during the dry season. It's better than wasting such a valuable resource," she said.

In addition, the prime minister pointed out that pushing water out of an area could mean sending floods to another area.

The Bang Rakam Water-Retention Area, once created, will be able to hold 50 million cubic metres of water. It is expected to help ease flooding and drought in the Yom Basin.

During the dry season, many provinces in the basin, such as Sukhothai, Phrae, Phitsanulok and Phichit, suffer from a shortage of water.

Phichit Governor Suwich Watcharothayangkoon yesterday said drought would hit his province within two months if there was no effective water storage.

"Farmers need water for their farms and paddy fields," he said.

Meanwhile, flooding continued to wreak havoc in many parts of the country.

In Phang Nga, more than 2,000 families were struggling with inundation.

Two children were reported as missing in Takua Pa district during the floods.

"We are searching for them," provincial disaster-prevention-and-mitigation chief Somkiat Intarajan said.

He said the floodwater level was rising in the face of non-stop downpours, so the number of flood victims was also going up. At some spots, the floodwater was well over a metre deep.

Mueang Takua Pa Municipality deputy mayor Prawit Limsakul said relevant officials now had to prepare food for more than 400 flood victims in the area.

The Meteorological Department said heavy rain was likely to continue till today in many provinces.

-- The Nation 2011-08-29