Hat yai: Hat Yai Municipality water levels are beginning to recede and are expected to reach the riverbank level before noon today. The Royal Irrigation Department confirmed that water drainage from Hat Yai District is improving, despite yesterday’s rain partially adding water to the system.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Thanet Somboon, Director of the Water Management and Hydrology Office, revealed that the water level in Khlong U-Tapao at Station X.44, Ban Hat Yai Nai, Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province, a key station for monitoring flooding, is continuing to decline. This morning’s measurements showed it was 19 centimeters above the bank and is expected to recede to bank level before noon today.
Mr. Thanet stated that the water was originally estimated to reach the riverbank this morning, but yesterday’s rainfall in upstream areas, particularly around Khlong Wa in Kohong Subdistrict, resulted in a slightly lower water discharge than anticipated. However, he remains confident that water will return to the river between the morning and noon.
To support water drainage efforts in the Hat Yai area, the Royal Irrigation Department has prepared numerous machines and personnel to expedite drainage from flooded areas. Currently, water pumps and pushers are operating continuously and are ready to begin work as soon as water levels in various areas drop to the point where machines can be deployed.
Machinery and support in the Hat Yai area include 61 water pumps, 15 sets of water pumps, 9 water trucks, 27 dump trucks, 8 six-wheeled trucks, 5 cranes, 2 JCB trucks, 7 crane trucks, two short boom excavators, 3 long boom excavators, two backhoes, 4 trailer trucks, and more than 150 staff.
Regarding the situation in other provinces, Mr. Thanet revealed that several districts in Satun Province, which are also experiencing severe flooding, particularly low-lying areas in Muang District, are still experiencing flooding. However, the situation is improving and is expected to recede below the riverbank level today, barring further heavy rainfall.
Regarding water drainage to the sea, the sea level is currently not as high as in previous periods, making the flow of water to the sea easier. If the water level falls below the drain mouth, the water level in the community will drop rapidly, leaving only low-lying areas where water pumps will be used to pump water intermittently into the main drainage canal. It is expected that within approximately one week the water situation will return to normal.