Military, police team up to urgently help flood-affected people
The military and police have joined hands to prioritise helping people affected by floods, while still being positive that this year will not see a repeat of the major flood in 2011.
After an executive meeting at the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters on Thursday, spokesman Lt-General Theeraphong Patthamasingh said the armed forces and police chiefs agreed on the urgent agenda for all military and police units across Thailand to help citizens affected by floods.
“The armed forces believe the flood situation will not be as bad as in 2011, but we will remain prepared nonetheless,” he said.
“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and coordinate with related agencies in disaster prevention and providing aid to affected communities.”
Theeraphong said military units would use their communication network to issue flood warnings to the public, while military vehicles will be dispatched to transport water pumps, flood prevention equipment and necessities for victims.
As for a long-term strategy, the armed forces will work with local agencies to dredge canals and waterways to maximise drainage capability and prevent future floods, he said.
Last week, the Meteorological Department dismissed speculation that Thailand would see a repeat of the great floods of 2011 due to weather conditions this year.
Department director-general Chompharee Chomphurat said the La Niña phenomenon, which occurred in 2011 and now in 2022, has resulted in rains arriving sooner than expected. However, unlike in 2011 when Thailand was hit by five storms, this year none has directly hit the country so far.
Several agencies have learned their lesson from the 2011 floods and are therefore better prepared this year, he said.
The measures that have been implemented include accelerating the release of water from dams into the Gulf of Thailand during low tide and unblocking waterways near flood-prone areas.
