Thailand Approves Increased Budget for Drainage Project to Combat Hat Yai Flooding

The Thai cabinet has approved an increased budget for the "Project Khlong Rabai Nam Khlong Tong," which is part of flood mitigation efforts in the hurricane-affected area of Songkhla province in southern Thailand. This decision aims to reduce the impact of frequent flood damage in the region. The hurricane-affected area, due to its geographical conditions and the effects of recent extreme weather, is often plagued by severe flooding. In particular, Hat Yai city, a major urban center, experiences regular river overflows and urban inundation during the rainy season, significantly impacting residents' lives and economic activities. The approved budget increase will be allocated to the renovation and expansion of existing drainage channels, the installation of new drainage facilities, and enhanced river dredging operations. This is expected to improve the drainage capacity for heavy rainfall events. The project is considered a key initiative by the Thai government to ensure public safety and stability of livelihoods through infrastructure development. The increased budget is anticipated to accelerate the project's progress and lead to early mitigation of flood damage.