Bangkok: The government is on high alert, closely monitoring the water situation, and has instructed relevant agencies to prepare for the expected rainfall in August.

According to Thai News Agency, Lieutenant Colonel Patthadarasmi Thongsalooykorn, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, announced that the government is taking proactive measures to ensure public safety amidst continuous rainfall. Agencies have intensified efforts to manage water resources effectively and are ready to provide public assistance around the clock. The Smart Water Operations Center (SWOC) has been activated to track rainfall and water levels in real-time.

Data indicates that large and medium-sized reservoirs have a combined water volume of 43 billion cubic meters, which is 57% of their total capacity. This allows for the accommodation of over 33 billion cubic meters of floodwater. The Royal Irrigation Department, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, will oversee a balanced management of water resources to address flooding during the rainy season while conserving water for the dry season.

Captain Patthadarasmi highlighted predictions from the Meteorological Department indicating increased rainfall from August 3rd to 10th. The government has thus mobilized water pumps, propulsion equipment, and heavy machinery to high-risk areas along rivers and low-lying regions. Continuous monitoring is in place to ensure rapid response to any emergencies.

Moreover, the government is keeping an eye on the effects of increased rainfall influenced by China, especially from August 6-8, when heavy rain is expected in the upper northern region. This raises concerns about flash floods and landslides in the Sai and Nan river basins. Authorities in upstream provinces like Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nan, and Sukhothai are coordinating with local universities to prepare temporary shelters, prioritizing public safety.