The situation following the floods in Thailand’s north-eastern, northern and central regions is expected to return to normal in mid-November, while the level of flooding is steadily falling as the country is approaches the annual cold and dry season, according to a forecast by the Office of National Water Resources.

ONWR Secretary-General Surasee Kittimonthon said yesterday (Saturday) that the volumes of water being discharged through the Chao Phraya Dam, in central province of Chai Nat, and the Ubol Ratana Dam, in the north-eastern province of Khon Kaen, have been steadily reduced, which will ease flooding in downstream areas.

He said that overflows on the western side of the Chao Phraya River have been flowing through Muang, Pho Thong and Wiset Chai Chan districts of Ang Thong Province, towardsthe Noi River and into water retention areas in Pak Hai and Pa Moke districts of Ayutthaya Province.

In the Chi and Mun rivers basin, water levels are steadily receding and, by November 16th, they are expected to fall below the level of the banks.

Surasee said that the government plans to set aside an initial 6 billion baht, from the Central Fund, to compensate about two million households affected by flooding adding, however, that the fund does not include compensation for the loss of farm products and livestock.

According to satellite images, taken between October 1st and 20th, about 1.4 million hectares of land were flooded.

For areas which were not flooded prior to this year, he explained that it might have been caused by the blocking of the natural flow of water by construction projects, such as buildings and man-made flood walls.