Gaybutton Posted October 29, 2006 Posted October 29, 2006 BANGKOK, Oct 29 (TNA) Senior officials of the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) and related government agencies were scheduled to meet Sunday and assess the current flooding situation in the country as well as floods which could worsen with the approach of Typhoon Cimaron early next month. RID Director-General Samart Chokkanapitak said irrigation officials had been instructed to closely monitor water levels in reservoirs which now are at over 80 per cent capacity in preparation for heavy rains which could come hand-in-hand with the approaching tropical storm. Typhoon Cimaron is reportedly forming now in the Pacific near the Philippines and expected to reach the Vietnamese coast on November 1. The typhoon will possibly impact Thailand afterwards, said Samart. According to Mr. Samart, if Typhoon Cimaron moves to the North, major water retention sites in the region such as the Bhumibol Dam in Tak province and the Sirikit Dam in Uttaradit may have to release water within the next few days because they have already reached their maximum level. The water, if released, will further worsen flooding situation in central Thailand. Meanwhile, Suparerk Tansriratanawong, Director-General of the Meteorological Department, said it was still difficult to predict the strength of the new typhoon and more accurate forecasts can only be made after the storm hits the Philippines. (TNA) E-111 [attachmentid=66] [attachmentid=67] Quote
