Water in the Phetchaburi river is anticipated to rise to its highest level this Sunday and to start swamping low-lying areas of the Muang district of Phetchaburi between 30-50 cm under water, said Agriculture Minister Grisda Boonrach on Wednesday after an inspection trip to the province by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

However, he said the Royal Irrigation Department had already taken steps to ease the flooding situation by installing 31 water pumps (with five as reserves) at risk areas and 38 water-pushing machines (with eight put on reserves) in the Phetchaburi river to accelerate the outflow of water into the sea.

Moreover, he said the Royal Thai Navy had deployed 20 water-pushing boats in the Phetchaburi river at Wat Kung Tamnak in Ban Laem district to push water into the sea whereas 20 trucks and backhoes were positioned to dredge channels to help increase water flow.

The minister said the ministry had mapped out measures to ease the hardships of farmers, fish and livestock who would be affected by flooding.

The Kaeng Krachan dam now is 103 percent full of water or 730 million cubic metres and the level of water in the dam is 45 cm above the spillway and is expected to rise up to 65 cm on Friday.