Farmers urged to harvest crops as more flooding anticipated next month

CHANTABURI, 25 August 2017 (NNT) – Royal Irrigation Department (RID) Office 12 has warned areas in the Chao Phraya River basin to harvest crops before September 15 when heavy rains are expected to set off flooding.

Latest reports have indicated flooding in Chantaburi province has begun to lift with roads now traversable by vehicles after water levels dropped from 1 meter deep to 50 centimeters. Much of the flood water is draining rapidly into Chantaburi River and a reprieve from rains has allowed the situation to improve. The RID is however maintaining its release of water into the river to keep it from bursting its banks.

Widespread showers in Bueng Kan province meanwhile, have resulted in minor flooding and traffic. In Khon Kaen, officials are releasing water into the Chi River in anticipation of more rains later this month.

RID Office 12 Director Suchart Charoensri has said a monsoon front passing by the country between now and August 29 will dump rains on much of the upper region and likely cause a new wave of flooding. Farmers along the Chao Phraya River are encouraged to harvest any crops before September 15 so that their lands can be used as monkey cheek reservoirs.

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