Bangkok: Deputy Prime Minister Prasert has instructed the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) to closely monitor the water situation in the eastern region. He has opened a front-line center to deal with heavy rain and is expediting repairs to the Sukhothai-Mae Sai flood barriers and dredging the river, in preparation for continued rain until early September.

According to Thai News Agency, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Economy and Society, Prasert Chantarawongthong, in his capacity as Chairman of the National Water Resources Committee (NWRC), revealed that he has ordered the Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) to coordinate with all agencies to urgently address heavy rainfall in the eastern region, particularly in Chanthaburi and Trat provinces, where continued rainfall is expected. He has also ordered the deployment of temporary frontline water management centers in the eastern coastal and Bang Pakong river basins to monitor, alert the public, and coordinate efforts to address flash flooding.

The Deputy Prime Minister also followed up on the progress of repairs to water barriers and water control buildings in critical areas, emphasizing that they must be completed as quickly as possible. In Sukhothai Province, repairs in Thani Subdistrict, Mueang District, are expected to be completed by August 20th, while progress in Ban Na Subdistrict is over 85%, with completion expected within one week if the rain decreases.

In Chiang Rai Province, repairs to all leaking river embankments are underway. There is expedited sealing of holes in walls and buildings, along with reinforcement of water barriers with large sandbags. The 2.3-kilometer temporary and semi-permanent flood barrier construction project is over 95% complete. Additionally, construction of a reinforced concrete wall at the First Friendship Bridge is currently suspended due to high water levels.

Dredging of the Ruak River on the Thai side has been completed, while the Sai River on the Thai side is over 95% complete. However, progress on the Myanmar side is only about 14% complete.

Mr. Somkwan Tonjan, Director of the Meteorological Department's Weather Forecasting Division, stated that from August 18-21, rain continued, but the amount and extent were lower than in the previous period, remaining at a slight to moderate level. Some areas with high accumulated rainfall may experience flash floods and landslides. From August 22nd to September 1st, rain will return in increasing amounts, with heavy rainfall expected due to the influence of the monsoon trough and the southwest monsoon.

There is currently a low-pressure area in the Gulf of Tonkin, but it is expected to weaken. No tropical cyclone has yet been detected in Thailand. However, continued vigilance is necessary from late August to early September. Therefore, the public is urged to closely monitor weather forecasts from the Meteorological Department.