Thai PM:Government will go ahead with water management strategies

BANGKOK, Feb 4 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra insisted on Saturday that her government will soon start to lay out water management strategies in order to avoid any repeated flooding crisis in the country this year. Speaking during her weekly address to the public, Yingluck said that the government's Strategic Committee for Water Resources Management (SCWRM) held its latest meeting in Bangkok on Friday to find ways in preventing and dealing with flood-related problems this year, prior to the upcoming rainy season, with strategies recommended by the SCWRM to be definitely implemented before this year's monsoon season starts. Yingluck vowed that her government will put all efforts to contain, probably, a large volume of water, again, this year and the move has started, acknowledging that she had ordered Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit to discuss with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and they agreed that water sewerages and canals in the capital are to be drained first. According to the Puea Thai premier, after learning waterways, concerned parties will have to find ways to divert excess water and to inform people who may be affected by the water diversion. The premier said she will start travelling to several provinces later this month to also study waterways herself. Premier Yingluck asked for cooperation from every party so that success in flood prevention in the country, from this year, could be achieved. (TNA)