BANGKOK, Thailand – The Secretary-General of the Office of National Water Resources (ONWR), Danucha Pichayanan, has called for close monitoring in Hat Yai, Songkhla province, after water levels along riverbanks exceeded two meters due to historic rainfall.
Danucha explained that flooding in Hat Yai differs from conditions in central and northern Thailand, as the province relies on canal-based water management systems. The current situation has worsened because of heavy cumulative rainfall, particularly in Sadao district. The R.1 canal, which can handle 1,200 cubic meters of water, is insufficient to cope with rainfall measuring 880 millimeters per hour, while surrounding areas continue to receive rain.
He noted that this is the heaviest rainfall the region has seen in 300 years and recommended long-term improvements, including deepening the R.1 canal and widening the U-Tapao canal to better manage extreme events in the future.
The Prime Minister has emphasized that immediate efforts focus on saving lives, mobilizing all available resources, and closely monitoring conditions as the Meteorological Department forecasts ongoing heavy rain in Hat Yai. As of 11:00–13:00 today, water levels had risen an additional 2.2 meters following overnight rainfall, keeping the area under continuous alert. (TNA)
