Cabinet to analyze ‘Chao Phraya’ Basin water plan
Flooding has increased while experts point out that the problem with the proposed 200bn pro
Bt200-billion flood and drought prevention plan for the Chao Phraya River Basin will be presented to the Cabinet tomorrow, while water-management experts have voiced concerns over the public’s knowledge about the plan and opportunities for participation.
The National Water Resource Committee announced it was planning to present the plan – which will include many projects including new water sluices, irrigation canals, and the Chao Phraya River widening project – for consideration by a mobile Cabinet meeting in Ayutthaya tomorrow.
Meanwhile, heavy rains resulting from Tropical Storm Doksuri, which has weakened from a typhoon, have caused extensive flooding in many provinces in the North and Northeast regions.
Water Resource Department director-general Worasart Aphaiphong, who is also secretary of the National Water Resource Committee, said the committee had gathered all the proposed water management projects covering the area from Chai Nat province to Bangkok and the Chao Phraya River Delta to sustainably solve flood and drought problems in the region over a six-year period.
“One of my concerns about this plan is a new irrigation canal in Ayutthaya, which will affect many people due to land expropriation and the possible impacts on the Chao Phraya River,” Hannarong said. “I would like to ask the government to disclose the details of all projects in this plan and let local people engage with these projects.
Moreover, such a gigantic plan should not be rushed and there should be proper studies on every aspect before starting the projects.” In related news, Tropical Storm Doksuri has submerged many provinces in the North and Northeast under floodwater, with residents in many areas bracing for further inundation.
Many of the provinces in the upper Northeast region are still in the process of recovering from severe flooding caused by last storms last month. The Meteorological Department has warned people in many parts of the North, Northeast, East and South regions to brace for possible flash floods due to intense rainfall that should easy after today.
