Suriya Juangroongruangkit, following the Prime Minister's directive and Anutin's order, cancels urgent duties to promptly visit flood victims in Nan. He instructs the Royal Irrigation Department to mobilize water pumps and excavators, maintaining 24-hour monitoring of the situation.
19 Aug 2026 GMT+7 Mr. Suriya Juangroongruangkit, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, stated that under the Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's instructions, all sectors must fully support and assist the people affected by flooding in Nan province. This especially concerns evacuation efforts and ensuring sufficient cooked meal boxes. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives stands ready to act immediately to ease the hardship for all affected communities.
Today, the Intelligent Water Operations Center (SWOC) of the Royal Irrigation Department reported close monitoring of water and weather conditions. The Meteorological Department warned of heavy to very heavy rain, particularly over northern and upper northeastern regions. Nan is a special watch area due to high accumulated rainfall in several districts, causing rising water levels in the upper Nan River. In the past 24 hours, heavy to very heavy rainfall occurred in many areas, including 1) Phanasawan School area, Phu Kha Subdistrict; 2) Ban Rong Ngae community, Woranakhon Subdistrict; and the Kun River in Sila Laeng Subdistrict, Pua District, Nan.
"Today, I canceled all Ministry of Agriculture duties to travel to Nan province with ministry executives to monitor flooding. We are prepared to immediately implement relief measures for farmers and residents, including helping relocate belongings and livestock, reducing agricultural damage, and preparing animal feed, medicines, and medical supplies. The Ministry urges residents in risk areas, especially those in lowlands, riverside zones, and flood-prone areas, to closely follow water situation updates and official warnings to prepare for potentially changing conditions," said Mr. Suriya.
He also ordered the Nan Irrigation Project and Irrigation Office 2 to be fully prepared for water management, maintaining 24-hour surveillance of water and weather conditions. They will manage and discharge water appropriately, coordinating closely with the provincial governor and relevant agencies to enhance water management efficiency and minimize impacts on residents.
Meanwhile, the Royal Irrigation Department has already taken the following actions:
1) Installed one 24-inch water pump in Mueang Nan District and eleven 8-inch pumps in Wiang Sa District.
2) Mobilized seven heavy machinery units including backhoes and dump trucks to remove waterway obstructions and clear bridge neck areas.
3) Coordinated with the provincial governor, Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, and local agencies for close monitoring, surveillance, and joint prevention preparations.
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