Ubon Ratchathani: Floodwaters in this lower northeastern province yesterday started to recede after the government mobilised personnel to help set up water pumps to drain water from the Chee and Moon rivers to the Mekong River.
Government spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat said the government has installed 160 water pump machines in the downstream Khong Chiam and Phibun Mangsahan districts.
More personnel were deployed to help get rubbish out of waterways so the water could flow into the river as quickly as possible.
Thongplew Kongchan, director-general of the Royal Irrigation Department, said the water levels in Muang district had started to recede. The peak water volume in Muang and Warin Chamrap districts was reached yesterday, but Warin Chamrap district, which has the most low-lying areas, was still the hardest-hit. The floodwaters, which exceeded 3 billion cubic metres in the low-lying areas in the district, need to be drained as quickly as possible, he said.
He said the department will speed up its surveys of the damage caused by this historic flooding so the affected farmers can receive assistance.
The two districts are bracing for the worst flooding in 16 years as water reaches them from the swollen Moon River that flows past them to the Mekong River.
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Varawut Silpa-archa said he and his officials will today visit flood victims in Ubon Ratchathani to lend them a helping hand.
He added they will distribute relief bags and drinking water to the victims. Temporary emergency shelters are also being set up at universities in Ubon Ratchathani.
Sarit Witoon, Ubon Ratchathani's governor, said Muang, Warin Chamrap, Phibun Mangsahan, Tan Sum, and Sawang Wirawong districts are still struggling and need help.
