Bangkok: The government has initiated the establishment of a sub-center to manage disasters in the northern region, emphasizing the immediate disbursement of emergency funds to ensure that bureaucratic processes do not impede public assistance.

According to Thai News Agency, the government has mandated the creation of a 24-hour war room to address flood and drought situations in the northern region. This initiative aims to streamline bureaucratic procedures and unlock emergency funds, enabling provincial governors to provide immediate assistance to citizens affected by these natural disasters. Captain Patthadarasmi Thongsalooykorn, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, detailed the government's strategies to prevent and mitigate the impacts of floods and droughts in the northern territories.

Deputy Prime Minister Yoschanan Wongsawat, who chairs the Northern Flood and Drought Prevention and Mitigation Committee, has urged relevant agencies to adopt a proactive management approach in response to the volatile weather conditions. A joint assessment with the Meteorological Department has highlighted overlapping risks, including heavy rainfall, flash floods, landslides, and droughts in certain areas. Consequently, all provinces have been instructed to establish sub-command centers, prepare personnel, and ensure machinery and water pumps are ready for 24-hour operations. In cases where resources are insufficient, immediate deployment of military personnel and regional disaster prevention centers is mandated.

The directive also underscores the need for comprehensive risk assessments. High-risk situations should trigger the immediate use of emergency funds to preemptively mitigate damage. Government procedures should not obstruct public assistance, with a focus on supporting vulnerable groups. In severe cases requiring evacuation, the government has outlined long-term measures, such as the expedited assessment of water resources in drought-prone areas and coordination with farmers to adjust planting plans. For flooding scenarios, officials are tasked with conducting thorough surveys and rapidly disbursing compensation and recovery funds to expedite the return to normalcy for affected communities.