Special Report: RID gears up for better management of water supplies during rainy season

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Royal Irrigation has held talks with related agencies over the country’s water management during the rainy season.

Members of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) have also attended the meeting with all relevant agencies to discuss ways to cope with possible flooding and water flow issues.

The RID made known that as Thailand is set to experience low levels of precipitation during the wet season. Water levels in reservoirs and dams across the country are also expected to drop. The department urged the public and private sector to help use water sparingly in a bid to avoid water shortage.

Bangkok and its vicinity are, meanwhile, at risk of flooding this year due to poor water drainage systems. RID Deputy Director-General Suthep Noipairoj assured the public that water pumping facilities in Samut Prakan province, which serves parts of Bangkok and Chachoengsao provinces have been well-maintained.

Another major water pumping station adjacent to Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Samut Prakan’s Bang Phli district is responsible for flood drainage in the perimeter of the country’s main airport and is equipped with cutting-edge technology for high pumping capacity.

The RID has set aside a budget to clear out garbage and weeds in waterways leading to the pumping station in order to facilitate the discharge of water.

The Meteorological Department earlier said that Thailand is unlikely to face another major flood this year, as less rains are expected compared to last year. In July, a series of thunderstorms can be expected and the wet season is set to last until the middle of October. At the end of the month, winter is set to begin in the country. The North will experience the transition into winter before other parts of Thailand.


-- NNT 2014-07-09

"The North will experience the transition into winter before other parts of Thailand."

Who would have thought that?

At least they don't have politicians to meddle in things this year, should be a big improvement.

The department urged the public and private sector to help use water sparingly in a bid to avoid water shortage

So no more damping down the dust outside the shop with the hose now Somchai.

Bangkok and its vicinity are, meanwhile, at risk of flooding this year due to poor water drainage systems

Do they mean like drains full of plastic and just about any other refuse known to man?

The RID has set aside a budget to clear out garbage and weeds in waterways leading to the pumping station (in Samut Prakan’s Bang Phli district)

Shouldn't the crap be cleared from all drains and waterways in BKK? For a city prone to flooding, this should be a priority, surely!?

The RID will probably provisioned another 500 long tails to control the water - just in case