Deputy PM Pipat Urges Southern Flood Preparations Before Rains
Deputy PM Pipat Ratchakitprakan led a meeting on southern flood preparations, saying he cannot guarantee Hat Yai will avoid a repeat of last year's floods due to their natural nature. He noted that repairs to the Royal Irrigation Canal No. 1 are expected to finish before the flood season and that a meeting with 14 southern provincial governors will discuss measures as heavy rains are forecast to continue until early January 2070.
At 09:50 on October 6, 2069, at the Government House, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Pipat Ratchakitprakan, as chairman of the Southern Flood and Drought Relief Committee, spoke about preparations for upcoming rains in the south. He said that at 16:00 the same day he would meet with the governors of 14 southern provinces at the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation to discuss and set measures. He added that, following orders from the prime minister, rain is falling across the region and will increase in the south, continuing until early January 2070. When asked about readiness in Hat Yai, Songkhla, Pipat said preparations have been made, especially after the recent cabinet retreat where he consulted with the Joint Private Sector Committee and the governors of five southern border provinces, as well as the Deputy Ministers of Transport and Interior. Pressed on whether this year would avoid a repeat of last year's flooding, Pipat replied he dared not say because natural events are unpredictable, but efforts would continue. He noted that water levels would be monitored with the Meteorological Department, and that drainage would be discussed with the Irrigation Department and water‑storage owners such as Prince of Songkla University and Hat Yai City Municipality. He said a budget of about 800 million baht had been approved for repairing the Royal Irrigation Canal No. 1, which he believes will be ready for the flood season. When questioned about previous delays in warnings, Pipat said the issue would be raised in the day's meeting.
