PM reports progress on flood prevention to Thai King

BANGKOK, Feb 24 (TNA) Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra led a group of water experts to have an audience with His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej at Bangkok's Siriraj Hospital Friday evening, during which she will report on progress of her government's flood prevention plans to the revered Thai monarch. Yingluck told journalists before leaving for the hospital that her updated report to His Majesty the King includes her findings during an inspection tour across the country last week, saying that she will also seek His Majesty the King's further recommendations. The prime minister affirmed that all plans worked out by the government's two committees on flood and water management can be implemented immediately although some modifications are needed in different areas. According to the Puea Thai premier, new floodways have already been identified and her government is expediting relevant tasks, including the drainage of canals to facilitate flows of water in the upcoming rainy season. Meanwhile, Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said that his Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is expediting canal dredging throughout the capital, acknowledging that it is strategically important to dredge the Bang Khen Canal to prevent inundations in the northern part of the capital, namely Vibhavadi Rangsit and Phaholyothin Roads, as the Bang Khen Canal will help drain water out to the Chaopraya River, through the New Bang Khen Pumping station and through Lad Phrao Canal and a large flood tunnel. According to the Bangkok governor, the BMA is also speeding up dredging other 1,161 canals and 521 irrigation ditches, with the entire length of 2,604 kilometres, throughout the capital timely for the forthcoming monsoon season. Newly-appointed Royal Irrigation Department Director-General Lertwiroj Kowattana , a former Deputy Permanent Secretary for Agriculture and Cooperatives, said in his special interview with Thai News Agency (TNA), on the other hand, his department will carry on existing flood prevention plans but will focus more on the implementation of the government’s emergency measures and programs against inundations, including expediting the maintenance of damaged sluice gates and irrigation systems, as well as improving water drainage systems.(TNA)