Bangkok: “Phumtham” has reaffirmed his commitment to continuing the initiatives of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), highlighting the need for ongoing vigilance in risk-prone areas. He cautioned that the southern regions are expected to face heavy rainfall this week.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Jirayu Huangsap, who serves as an advisor to the Prime Minister and spokesman for the Operation Center for Flood, Storm and Landslide Relief Operations (CPLO), disclosed that Mr. Phumtham Vejjayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, is leading these efforts as Director of CPLO. The collaborative assessment with the working group over the past two months reviewed outcomes from both the Central CPLO and the Forward CPLO. It was noted that the Forward Area successfully addressed flood issues and rectified landslide impacts, allowing the area to be returned to local government agencies. However, continuous collaboration with various sectors is mandated for ongoing restoration, with dai
ly updates reported to the Central CPLO. The Central CPLO’s mandate will persist due to ongoing flood situations in several Central and Southern areas.

Mr. Jirayu elaborated that the National Disaster Risk Committee (NDRC) is regulating water management to limit dam discharge to no more than 700 cubic meters per second. This measure aims to prevent the Chao Phraya River’s lowest points at Khlong Phong Pheng, Khlong Bang Ban, and Mae Nam Noi in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya and Ang Thong provinces from experiencing overflow, with this precaution expected to last for about a week.

Mr. Jirayu also addressed the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation’s (DDPM) recent alert to 11 southern provinces, including Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Ranong, Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi, and Trang. These areas have been advised to remain vigilant against flash floods, forest runoff, and landslides until Wednesday, November 6. Preparedness measures with personnel and
equipment are in place to provide immediate assistance when necessary.

Expressing concern for the southern residents, Mr. Jirayu stated that many provinces are at risk due to heavy rainfall. Monitoring has been ordered for various risk factors, such as rainfall levels and land slopes. Agencies have been tasked with surveying risk points within their jurisdiction and reporting back. The situation will be closely monitored until the end of November. Concurrently, the CPLO has established a working group to devise long-term solutions for flooding and mudslide issues in the North to prevent a recurrence of last year’s situations.