Warning of rising Chao Phraya River

BANGKOK, April 27 (TNA) - The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation warns officials and people in seven riverside provinces to prepare for the rising level of the Chao Phraya River. Heavy rain in the lower North and the upper part of the Central Plain prompted irrigation officials to increase the water discharge rate at the Chao Phraya dam to 700 cubic meters per second and consequently the level of the Chai Phraya River rose by 1-1.5 meters, said Chatchai Phromlert, director-general of the department. He urged officials and people in Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Chai Nat, Lop Buri, Sing Buri, Suphan Buri and Uthai Thani provinces to prepare for the increasing water. Officials should be on standby to quickly help flood victims and warn people in riverside areas to move their belongings to high ground, secure their fish cages, strengthen their floodwalls and install water pumps, Mr Chathcai said. Flood victims could seek help from the local branches of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation or phone its hotline number 1784 around the clock, he said. (TNA)