Chonburi officials are planning
for the inevitable floods coming in September and October.
Acknowledging that damaging floods are coming to Panthong and
Phanat Nikom districts no matter what they do, Chonburi officials have begun
planning for the inevitable damage, evacuations and infrastructure repairs
expected during the heaviest weeks of the rainy season.
Deputy Gov. Adisak Thepass headed up a meeting of provincial managers, relief
groups and utility representatives July 16. He said the two low-lying districts
always take the brunt of the province’s flooding during September and October,
with storm runoff from Koh Chan, Bothong and Nongyai districts inundating the
two districts closest to the Bangpakong River.
No amount of prevention or infrastructure upgrades so far undertaken have
stemmed the problem. The water is coming, he said. So now is the time to
prepare.
Adisak ordered a response center established that will
provide ready-to-eat meals, beverages and utility facilities for flood victims.
He also ordered administrators to begin finding temporary storm shelters for
displaced residents that can provide adequate amounts of food, clothes and
medical supplies.
The deputy governor also said plans need to be laid for restoration and
rebuilding of flood-damaged homes, as well as road and bridge repairs by the
Chonburi highway, rural roads and improvement offices.
If additional help is needed, requests can be made from the military or
Chantaburi’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, he said. (CPRD)
