BANGKOK, 7 September 2011 – The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) has expressed concerns over the possibility of additional flooding within the central region in the middle of this month while urging farmers to harvest their crops by 10 September.
After meeting with related agencies to evaluate the flood situation, Deputy Director-General of the RID Weera Wongsaengnak indicated that a monsoon trough was in the forecast for the central part of the country during 9-12 September, bringing more rain to the area. In addition, more water is about to be released from Bhumibol and Sirikit Dams, which could cause the water level in the Chao Phraya River to rise in mid-September.
Due to the expected downpour in combination with the surging river, Mr Weera deemed the situation worrying as the catastrophes in 2002 and 2010 could be repeated, especially in provinces located on the east side of the Chao Phraya River such as Lop Buri.
The department has also warned rice farmers of possible losses to be incurred by the upcoming disaster. Officials have thus been sent out to seek the farmers’ cooperation in harvesting their crops before 10 September, which is when the water will need to be released from the dams due to their full capacity.
