Discharge Water From Chao Phraya Dam: Meteorological Department

[webfact]

FLOODS

'Discharge water' from Chao Phraya Dam

Chatchawan Sopapun,

Mongkhonchaowarat Tangmangmee,

Attaphum Ongkoolna

The Nation

More heavy rain expected in some areas; elderly man drowns in Sa Kaew

BANGKOK: -- The Meteorological Department yesterday recommended the discharge of more water from the Chao Phraya Dam ahead of expected downpours in the Lower North and Upper Central regions this weekend.

"The coming downpours mean the water volume will increase," it said.

To date, Northern provinces such as Sukhothai and Phitsanulok have been struggling with flood water.

According to the Royal Irrigation Department, flooding has ravaged 63,600 rai (10,175 hectares) in Phitsanulok. In the Central region, the Chao Phraya River overflowed in six districts of Ayutthaya. Overflow also hit Suphan Buri, Angthong and Nakhon Pathom.

In the Eastern region, the Royal Irrigation Department expects flooding in Sa Kaew's economic zone to end within the next few days. As of press time, the flood-water level there had already dropped to between 30 and 100 centimetres.

However, before the floods subsided, they claimed one life in the province. An elderly man was found dead yesterday in Aranyaprathet district after a strong torrent of flood water swept him away as he was walking home after collecting relief items.

A search by villagers and rangers found the body of Samorn Kaewkomon, 73, at a spot 150 metres from the road leading to Nonsang village.

"He waded through flood water to get relief items. He then walked back with the stuff but he couldn't make it home," a local lamented.

Samorn was reported missing at 3pm on Wednesday.

Serious flooding hit Sa Kaew several days ago. Even after the flood began to subside, the water level was still at least 30cm in Aranyaprathet municipality. At some spots, the flood water was still a metre deep.

Rescue workers successfully caught a 1.5-metre-long crocodile on the railway near Dong Ngu village in Aranyaprathet district.

In nearby Prachin Buri province, flooding will likely drag on for up to 10 days.

Meanwhile, the government yesterday officially dismissed Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra's claim that it was withholding the budget meant for use as compensation to some flood victims in the capital.

Governor's claim dismissed

"The government does not owe the Bangkok Metropolitan Adminis-tration any money," Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit said.

He was speaking at a news conference held to discount Sukhumbhand's claim about delayed payment of flood compensation.

Also present at the event were Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department director-general Wiboon Sanguanpong and Deputy Government Spokeswoman Sansa-nee Nakpong.

Yongyuth also blamed the BMA for breaking budget regulations.

He said the government had approved Bt50 million and Bt1.9 billion for the BMA on two separate occasions for use as compensation to flood victims.

"From that amount, the BMA has Bt753 million left but it has failed to return it to the central government," Yongyuth said.

Wiboon said that because the BMA did not submit the remaining portion to the central government, its request for an additional budget of Bt1.1 billion for the same purpose was not approved.

"We have informed the BMA that it must submit that remaining portion from the old budget before requesting the new one," he said.

Wiboon also said the BMA failed to provide details about the recipients of flood compensation by the deadline of June 26.

-- The Nation 2012-09-22

[asiawatcher]

"... Yongyuth also blamed the BMA for breaking budget regulations."

And PTP have not?

[fareastguy]

I can smell the stench of misappropriation in the air.. even above the sewage.

[Dr Robert]

I notice there has been no mention of the downstream effect of releasing water from the dam.what happens to the poor devils who are about to be inundated?

[jonclark]

From that amount, the BMA has Bt753 million left but it has failed to return it to the central government," Yongyuth said.

Perhaps the governor has already followed the lead of some PTP MPs and has ear marked the unused money for a junkit overseas, rather than return it to the state.

[DeepInTheForest]

Condolences to Samorn's family and friends.

[Tatsujin]

Corruption and incompetence is endemic in this country, but they just seem to be more and more blatant about things recently.

[conimex]

remaining money ? what remaining money ? no more remaining ! As usual, corruption did it's job !

[rbrooks]

"The coming downpours mean the water volume will increase." Wow such words of wisdom from the Thai Meteorological Department should be having the Thai natives think like <deleted>?? What great school of science did we find these Morons? It sure would not make me sleep better at night knowing that their research and reporting should make my country a safer place. The issue of not giving out all of the claims of compensation for last years flood was expected and the excuses deplorable. Someone in political food chain redistributed the funds to a more desirable location and the poor claim victims will never see their money unless they maybe protest.