Residents Suffer as Water Hyacinth Chokes Canal, Making Navigation Impossible

On February 13th, local residents from Khlong Dan Subdistrict, Bang Bo District, Samut Prakan Province reported a critical issue with water hyacinth completely blocking a public canal. The dense vegetation spans over 1 kilometer, making boat navigation almost impossible. Residents like Yaay Goi explained that rowing across the canal has become extremely exhausting, sometimes taking her to the brink of collapse. Boat owners reported that trips that normally took 5-10 minutes now require 30-60 minutes of arduous navigation through thick water hyacinth. Local community members are particularly worried about vulnerable populations like children, elderly, and sick individuals who need to cross the canal for medical treatment. They have been calling on local authorities, including the Irrigation Department, to address the urgent problem. The local water management office has now called an emergency meeting with community leaders and representatives to discuss clearing the canal and finding a sustainable solution to the water hyacinth invasion.