The National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office mobilized machinery to speed up drainage of water from Saraphi to Lamphun.

Government House, 8 Oct - NESDB mobilizes machinery to speed up water drainage in Saraphi and Lamphun, expecting to return to normal in 7 days. As for Chiang Mai, the trend is improving. The Chao Phraya River basin is managing water strictly, aiming to reduce the impact of seawater surges. Mr. Jirayu Huangsap, advisor to the Prime Minister and spokesman for the Flood, Storm and Landslide Relief Operation Center (FSOC) and the Forward Operation Center in Chiang Rai Province, revealed that the Royal Irrigation Department reported the situation of the Ping River in Mueang Chiang Mai District at Station P.1, Nawarat Bridge, currently at a level of 3.22 meters, 48 ??cm below the bank, and with a tendency to continue decreasing. As for the water that flooded the city area and economic areas, the water has now receded in almost every area. There are only a few low-lying areas that are flooded. For the mass of water overflowing the banks of the Ping River that continues to flow into Saraphi District, Chiang Mai Pr ovince, the average water level is 10-30 cm. The deepest area is about 1 m. There are flooded areas in 74 villages, 12 sub-districts. Currently, 74 water pumps are prepared to help, some of which have started operating. Meanwhile, in Muang District, Lamphun Province, the water level has stabilized, averaging 15-30 cm. The deepest point is 60 cm. Currently, 15 water pumps are being used to quickly drain water from the flooded areas. Both areas are expected to return to normal within 7 days. 'Currently, the water level of the Ping River, which flows through Chiang Mai and Lamphun provinces, has stabilized and is gradually decreasing. What needs to be urgently done is to pump the floodwater into the Ping River to quickly release water into the Bhumibol Dam, which currently still has the capacity to accommodate a large amount of water,' said Mr. Jirayu. Mr. Jirayu added that for the area downstream of the Chao Phraya Dam, as the ONWR has warned to watch out for the high tide during October 13-24, the meeting ha s now tried to manage water traffic by considering the water level upstream of the Chao Phraya Dam, which has started to decrease. If there is no new rain during this period, it is expected that the water discharge rate will be maintained at 2,200 cubic meters/second for a while longer. If the water upstream of the dam decreases, the water discharge downstream of the Chao Phraya Dam will be reduced, which will help reduce the impact on people in low-lying areas along the Chao Phraya River, Tha Chin River, and Mae Klong River, especially in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, and Pathum Thani, where water has started to flood some riverside communities in low-lying areas and there are no barriers. Mr. Jirayu also revealed that Gen. Nattapol Nakphanit, Deputy Minister of Defense as an advisor to the Forward Command Center, visited the area to inspect the assistance for people affected by floods and mudslides in Ban Huai Sai Khao, Tambon Ban Pong, Amphoe Wiang Pa Pao, Chiang Rai Province, and ordered the mobilization of assis tance for military engineers and equipment to rehabilitate the areas affected by flash floods and mudslides. He also coordinated with small excavators from the 3rd Development Division to provide assistance to the people so that they can return to their normal lives as soon as possible. For Ban Huai Sai Khao, Tambon Ban Pong, Amphoe Wiang Pa Pao, Chiang Rai Province, there are 47 households, most of whom are Red Lahu tribe members, who were affected by flash floods and mudslides that completely damaged 12 houses and partially damaged another 17 houses. One person died from the floods. The road to the village was damaged by a mudslide covering a distance of more than 3 kilometers. Through the integration of all sectors, the entrance and exit routes to the village were successfully cleared and other aid was quickly transported to the area. -314.-Thai News Agency Source: Thai News Agency