Cabinet considers more compensation money for flood victims

BANGKOK, Nov 7 (TNA) – Agriculture Ministry would seek compensation money for additional 900,000 flood-affected households in the Cabinet’s meeting today. It earlier requested compensation money for 500,000 households. Under the budget of four billion baht, each family will receive 3,000 baht in compensation, said Agriculture Minister, Gen Chatchai Sarikulya Other rehabilitation measures will be put in place such as an employment measure, moratorium on loans given by cooperatives and seed distribution for farmers who allow their lands to be water retention areas. Regarding the flood situations in each region, he said that the flood in upstream of the Chao Phraya dam returned to normal while it continued in downstream of the dam even though it started to recede. In the Northeast, the Ubonrat dam cut water release and the water level in Nam Phong River has decreased and the situation is expected to return to normal soon. However, in the Chee River basin, particularly Maha Sarakham and Kalasin, flood is likely to improve by the end of this month. In the South, Gen Chatchai said his ministry installed more than 500 pumps and other related equipment at 14 spots in preparation for flood due to influence of a tropical storm. About 2,000 tonnes of animal feed is ready for supply. (TNA)