KHON KAEN: The volume of water discharged from the Ubonrat Dam will be reduced from 54 million cubic metres per day to 38 million cu/m per day starting 3pm on Sunday until the 30-metre breach in an embankment in Muang district has been repaired.
An urgent meeting of the committee for water management of Khon Kaen, Nong Bua Lamphu, Kalasin, Maha Sarakham and Roi Et provinces was called this morning by Khon Kaen governor Somsak Jangtrakul after the embankment of an irrigation canal gave way for about 30 metres, allowing water to flow into low-lying areas. At least 3,500 rai of farmland has been inundated.
The committee passed a resolution for Ubonrat Dam to reduce the water discharge from 54 million cu/m per day to 38 million cu/m from 3pm on Sunday.
Mr Somsak said officials are racing against time to repair the breached embankment.
He said the water was flowing through the hole in the floodwall at the rate of about 8 million cu/m per day. If this was allowed to continue, the water would flood farmland in tambon Bung Niam, and flow into Phra Khue stream, Thung Sang swamp and the municipal area of Khon Kaen.
The governor said the economic zones of Khon Kaen must be protected from flooding. He believed concerned officials would be able to get the water under control in three days.
The people in areas prone to flooding, including tambons Bung Niam, Muang Kao and Phra Lap, are advised to move their belongings to higher ground as a precaution and closely monitor the situation, Mr Somsak said.