Minister directs IEAT to bolster flood defence at industrial estates
The industry minister instructs IEAT to monitor all drainage systems and prepare for potential flooding, especially in high-risk areas
The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) has been instructed to step up flood prevention measures at all its estates to prevent a repeat of the 2011 flood crisis and maintain investors’ confidence.
Industry Minister Akanat Promphan said on Monday that he has told IEAT to be on full alert and prepare measures to protect factories if floods do occur.
The minister said the IEAT has assured him that it has tested drainage systems in its industrial estates and has found that all are working effectively. It has also assured Akanat that all preparations have been made to deal with heavy rains and possible flooding.
The IEAT reported that it will closely monitor weather conditions and be ready to coordinate with state and private agencies when floods occur within or outside the industrial estates.
Bang Pu Industrial Estate in Samut Prakan is among those closely monitored recently, as the province has seen heavy rain for several days.
Meanwhile, the situation at the Northern Industrial Estate in Lamphun is not critical yet as the level of the Kuang River was still 2-metres below the estate’s flood levee. Regardless, Akanat said, the IEAT will monitor the estate closely as the northern province is still being hit by heavy rain.
Separately, IEAT acting governor Sumet Tungprasert said he has instructed the chiefs of all 68 IEAT estates nationwide to keep a close eye out for flooding.
He said estates in flood-prone areas are required to strictly observe flood-prevention measures. Estates at risk, including those in Ayutthaya province, such as the Bang Pa-in, Hi-Tech and Nakhon Luang industrial estates have had flood levees built to protect them 100%, Sumet added.
The IEAT will consider monitoring the release of water from key dams like Chao Phraya, Pasak Jolasid and Phra Ram Hok and will monitor rains on a round-the-clock basis for fear the surrounding areas would be hit by floods.
Sumet said if the areas surrounding the estates are flooded, it could affect the transport of workers and raw materials to the estates.
He added that each industrial estate’s drainage system will be regularly checked to ensure it is 100% ready to deal with flooding. He added that any industrial estate experiencing more than 120 millimetres of rainfall should inform him immediately so he can dispatch help in time.
