InfoQuest (September 19, 2019) -- Mr. Chalermchai Sri-on, minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC), revealed that he had ordered all subordinate bodies to visit the affected areas within one week to investigate the situation in the flood-hit agricultural areas after the flood in the Northeast Region had eased. He urged local governments in the affected provinces to accomplish the investigation with no delay to avoid complaint. Mr. Chalermchai has also ordered agencies to determine the flood-hit areas and figure out the budget required to subsidize the affected farmers.
"The prime minister is very concerned about the flood victims and has ordered that assistance be provided as soon as possible. I have discussed with the prime minister and the director general of the Bureau of Budget about the specific work procedures. It is expected that the investigation work will be completed within one week and the summary statistics will be obtained within one month, which will take about five weeks in total. When the two works is done, the exact budget amount needed can be reported to the Cabinet. I have given the order to avoid any delay, since the flood-hit people have suffered so much that they cannot wait any longer. The assistance to the victims is urgently needed. Therefore, once the waters recede, actions should be taken to help the affected people out, and transparency should be ensured during the process", Mr. Chalermchai said.
Mr. Chalermchai said he planned to visit Ubon on September 21-23, during which he would have a meeting with relevant government agencies from 10 provinces affected by the flooding at Chi Mun River Basin flood control center. These provinces include Sakon Nakhon, Mukdahan, Si Sa Ket, Roi Et, Maha Sarakham, Kalasin, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, Nakhon Phanom, and Ubon. The meeting aims to speed up flood relief, help people get back on their feet and survey the water condition by helicopter.
He also visited affected farmers along the Mun River and provided relief supplies to these people. Meanwhile, he instructed the local officials to conduct relief work, reiterated relevant guidelines to help the affected people resume production and life as soon as possible after the flood recedes. In addition, he embarked on the volunteer project of the MOAC to launched eight programs in the above-mentioned 10 provinces. The programs will offer such assistance as cleaning houses, repairing agricultural machinery, restoring soil moisture conditions, and offering short-term employment opportunities to ensure the revenue of flood-hit farmers before the new planting season comes.
Aiming at the flooding in Chi Mun River Basin and Ubon, 260 propeller pumps have been installed to speed the drainage of water into the Mekong River, which increased the drainage speed by 30-40 percent. As a result, flood levels are falling faster than expected. The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) has endeavored to drain water into the Mekong River as soon as possible, and the water level is expected to drop to its levee around September 29.
"I would like to stress once again that the government and all relevant agencies are doing their utmost to help the affected people. I go to the disaster area every two weeks to help the affected people to resume normal production and life as soon as possible. At present, the government departments are taking actions to help the victims, and I hope that the opposition will also do its bit too, for the agony of the victims should not be leveraged as a political tool", Mr. Chalermchai said.
Source: InfoQuest, by Nisarat Wichiensri / Rachada, translated by Xinhua Silk Road.
Notice: No person, organization and / or company shall disseminate or broadcast the above article on Xinhua Silk Road website without prior permission by Xinhua Silk Road.
A single purchase
