Accra:The Royal Irrigation Department is hastening efforts to drain floodwaters as heavy rainfall is anticipated in various regions.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Woraphot Phetnorachart, Deputy Director-General of the Royal Irrigation Department, led a meeting to assess water situation trends. This meeting included participation from the Meteorological Department, Water Resources Information Institute, and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, and was broadcast to regional Irrigation Offices to ensure close monitoring and strategic water management.
Mr. Woraphot emphasized that the department is mobilizing resources such as machinery, pumps, and personnel to improve drainage efficiency and provide timely relief to affected areas. Currently, reservoirs nationwide hold 64,194 million cubic meters of water, which is 84% of their capacity, leaving room for an additional 12,502 million cubic meters. The Chao Phraya River basin's main dams are at 76% capacity, with potential to store another 5,925 million cubic meters. Efforts to manage water levels include storing water for future use while minimizing downstream impact.
In the Chao Phraya River basin, water discharge through the dam has been reduced to 1,800 cubic meters per second, with plans to decrease it further if rainfall diminishes. In the eastern region, efforts are underway to improve drainage through canal networks, aiming to prevent upstream and downstream impacts before releasing water into the sea.
In the South, heavy rainfall is expected, and officials are monitoring water levels closely, especially in risk-prone areas. The Meteorological Department forecasts continued rainfall from October 18-20, with an increase expected from October 21-25 across several regions. Irrigation projects are advised to ensure systems are ready, with a focus on minimizing public impact and aiding recovery efforts swiftly.