ONWR approves mega projects to renovate water resources, prevent flooding

0
1263

Bangkok – The Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) has approved four mega projects to renovate water resources and prevent flooding.

ONWR Secretary General Somkiat Prajamwong said the agency has approved four water management projects, including Khlong Prem Prachakon canal renovation, Bueng Ratchanok Lake renovation in Phitsanulok, Bueng Boraphet Lake renovation in Nakhon Sawan, and Chumphon City flood prevention and mitigation project.

Those projects will be submitted to the cabinet for approval at a later date, he said.

The renovation project at Khlong Prem Prachakon canal will be carried out in areas of Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, and Bangkok, to improve the drainage capacity and water quality, improve the water level controlling system and the water retention areas.

The renovation, costing some 4.47 billion baht, will take place during 2019 and 2022, beginning with the drainage capacity and water quality improvement.

The Bueng Ratchanok Lake renovation project in Phitsanulok is designed to improve the lake capacity by deepening the lake, which will help with the water management operations during dry and rainy seasons, while the renovation of Bueng Boraphet lake in Nakhon Sawan will involve the dredging of the lake and neighboring canals, and the verification of land rights to ensure the lake will retain water during flooding and to reserve water in dry seasons.

The flood prevention and mitigation project in Chumphon will include the excavation of a floodway in Khlong Chumphon canal. The construction will be carried out until 2021, and cost some 1.72 billion baht. The flood prevention system will help a total of 16,802 households of local villagers.