Thailand rolls out urgent measures to cope with floods

Flood submerges houses in Thailand (Photo: www.bangkokpost.com)

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on September 12 warned residents in northeast Thailand, especially the province of Ubon Ratchathani to brace for more floods on September 12 night and the next day.

The Thai PM posted his warning on his Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Meanwhile, the Defence Ministry’s spokesman Lt Gen Kongcheep Tantrawanit said the PM, who is also the Defence Minister, had assigned all armed forces to assist flood victims in the north and the northeast.

About 4,000 military officers and flood-relief equipment will be sent to assist flood victims, he said.

In addition, 25 water-propelling boats will be deployed to flooded areas to speed up drainage.

Ubon Ratchathani is among seven provinces hardest hit by flooding as Thailand has been lashed by storms Kajiki and Podul since late last month, which caused downpours and widespread inundation in 32 provinces.

Thailand’s Royal Irrigation Department predicted that water in the country’s Moon River will rise to as high as 3 metres./.

VNA