Royal relief for flood-affected

Thai Red Cross Society secretary-general, Phan Wannamethee, and senior officials yesterday morning delivered the bags to the residents from Tambon Jampa Lor, Ban Hae, Ban Id and Talad Kroud at Jampalor Pittayakhom School.

Utaradit's Sirikit Dam, which currently holds up to 88 per cent of its capacity, will release six million cubic metres of water per day, from the usual 10-12 million cubic metres, until the flooding condition is resolved, said the deputy director of the dam, Suthep Srimongkol.

However, the dam could not totally stop releasing water, as that would affect people raising fish in floating baskets along Nan River, he said. The dam would release 10 million cubic metres of water from November 10 until November 13 morning so people could celebrate Loy Krathong, he added.

In Buri Ram, the provincial irrigation authority released water from the brimming Huai Jorakhe Reservior at 36,000 cubic metres per hour out of fear of the reservoir bursting and sending floodwater to nearby rice fields.

The Southern (east coast) Weather Bureau yesterday issued a warning for residents in risky areas such as Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung and Songkhla of flooding conditions as torrential rains were expected. All ships in the Gulf of Thailand should also proceed with caution and watch out for 1-2 metre-high waves.