Experts and government authorities have given assurances Thailand won’t face repeat of deluge a decade ago.
They are attempting to allay public concern about flooding and rising waters in several parts of the country.
Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda said several water retention areas have been created, with systematic water management in place to cope with the situation and store floodwater for use in the dry season.
"I have instructed provincial governors and agencies under the Interior Ministry to be on standby to help flood victims," he said.
He stressed the need for timely flood alerts and for authorities to have food, drinking water, essential items and relief supplies ready for quick delivery to flood victims.
Pakorn Ataphant, executive director of the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda), said several factors make a repeat of 2011’s flooding unlikely.
In 2011, there were several storms affecting Thailand, compared to the present situation in which only a few storms have arrived, he said.
He said aerial photographs in 2011 showed about 25 million rai of land was flooded, but current aerial photos of the same areas show only about 2.5 million rai is under water.
Experience gained in 2011 is likewise providing advantage: water management efforts have improved significantly and include construction of flood levees as well as an increase in water retention areas which now cover 160,000 rai, Mr Pakorn said.
"The current situation will not be like in 2011. So, people should not panic. The rate of water, currently at 2,600 cubic metres per second, will not lead to severe floods, except for waterside communities which may face floodwaters of up to 30 cubic metres but the water will drain away in a few days. Economic and industrial areas will not be affected as in 2011," Mr Pakorn said.
