KHON KAEN: Twenty pumps were deployed on Friday to help drain floodwater from areas downstream of Ubonrat dam, particularly in Muang and Nam Phong districts, which have been swamped by discharge from the dam for the past month.
The powerful pumps were installed at local sluice gates along waterfront communities in 14 flood-ravaged districts to expedite the removal of the water released by the dam to the Phong and Chi rivers around the clock.
Pumps were also set up at D8 Huai Phra sluice gate to drain water that had damaged an earth dyke at 3L-RMC irrigational canal in Ban Khui Pho and inundated the Muang district.
Phongsak Tangwanichkapong, chairman of the Khon Kaen Provincial Administrative Organisation, said the agency aimed to drain all the water within the next two weeks.
The flooding has eased up in some areas of the 14 districts along the Chi River, but authorities remain vigilant in waterside communities along the Phong River.
“Local authorities continue to provide assistance for villagers in downstream areas which have been submerged under floodwater for a month,” Mr Phongsak said.
“Officials and flat-bottomed boats are being dispatched to help flood victims around the clock with more than 15,000 relief bags already distributed to them.”
Chayapol Thitisak, director-general of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, said 10 people have died from flood-related causes between Oct 10 and Nov 2. Twenty-three provinces were affected and more than 100,000 households in 55 districts of 15 provinces remain flooded.
