Royal Irrigation Department and National Water Resources Office Team Up to Accelerate Drought and Flood Mitigation Plans in Phetchaburi
Thai water agencies inspected drought and flood mitigation projects in Phetchaburi province on May 5, including upgrades to Kaeng Krachan Dam that will boost storage capacity by 53 million cubic meters and a planned 10-year flood control ca
On May 5, 2025, Chayant Muangsong, Secretary-General of the National Water Resources Office (NWRO), along with Deputy Director-General Dech Lekvichay, Deputy Director-General Thananchorn Suthipis, and other relevant officials, conducted a field inspection of water resource development projects in Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces.
In the morning, the team visited Kaeng Krachan Dam in Kaeng Krachan District, Phetchaburi Province, to monitor improvements to the dam's water storage capacity. The project involves installing 1-meter-high folding spillway gates on the existing overflow structure, which will increase water storage by approximately 53.06 million cubic meters, bringing the total reservoir capacity to 763.06 million cubic meters. This will help address water scarcity during the dry season and improve water management efficiency during the rainy season.
The team also inspected progress on the lower Phetchaburi River Basin flood mitigation project undertaken under royal initiative at the Canal 1 drainage gate in Tha Yang District, Phetchaburi Province. The main component involves constructing a 38.852-kilometer drainage canal with a maximum discharge capacity of 350 cubic meters per second. The project is currently in the preparation phase, including preliminary studies, design work, and community engagement. Land surveys and site preparation are underway, though some areas require additional community consultation before formal project approval. The implementation timeline spans 10 years (2027-2036) and, upon completion, will protect 33,690 rai of Phetchaburi province from flooding while providing water for consumption and agriculture in Tha Yang and Cha-Am districts, with a storage capacity of approximately 5 million cubic meters.
The team also inspected construction progress on the Huai Krathing reservoir improvement project in Cha-Am District, Phetchaburi Province, an important water storage facility for agricultural and regional development support.
In the afternoon, a meeting was held at the Irrigation Agricultural Learning Center in Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, with relevant agencies to review project implementation, identify obstacles, and discuss strategies to keep the water resource development projects on schedule.
Chayant stated: "This field inspection aims to accelerate these critical projects to achieve tangible results and enhance overall water resource management efficiency, particularly the lower Phetchaburi River Basin flood mitigation project, which will increase drainage capacity, reduce flood risk, and ensure water security for the local population sustainably. This supports agriculture, consumption, and long-term economic development of the country."
