More than 37,600 households in ten districts of Ayutthaya province are now affected by flooding, with many of them having been inundated for more than a month due to the rising water levels in the Chao Phraya and Noi rivers.
Many residents in the most heavily-affected areas in Sena district have abandoned their flooded houses to stay in temporary shelters, built along the roadsides, where they also park their vehicles.
The evacuees, who are mostly neighbours, have reportedly shown their cohesive spirit by working in shifts to guard their valuables, while allowing their spouses to work during the daytime.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, accompanied by Surasak Phancharoenworakul, minister of higher education, science, research and innovations, visited Ayutthaya province today to see the flood situation for themselves.
The delegation was briefed at the provincial hall, before they proceeded to Bang Ban district to watch the distribution of relief supplies to flood victims.
The prime minister told the people during his visit that his government is fully aware of the chronic flood problem in the province, which is mostly low-lying and flat land, making it difficult for water in the Chao Phraya River to flow to the sea.
He said that he has instructed the National Water Resources Office and Geo-Informatics and Space Development and Technology Agency (GISTDA) to explore ways and means to solve the chronic problem with the help of new technology.
