A new rainfall monitoring station has opened in Hua Hin to help officials assess flood risks and manage water supplies.
Prachuap Khiri Khan Governor Sitthichai Sawatsaen opened the station on 24 September on the seventh floor of Hua Hin Municipality’s new office building.
The system automatically measures rainfall and transmits the readings remotely, giving officials information in real time from the moment rain begins. The data will support decisions on drainage, water management and evacuations when necessary.
The project was initiated at the governor’s direction to address both localised flooding and shortages of untreated water used to produce tap water, which have affected household supplies.
The rainfall station is one of three monitoring stations installed by the municipality. The other two measure water levels at the Royal Initiative Canal near Bridge 11 and at the bridge behind Wat Khao Lan Thom.
An automatic pump control system has also been installed at the stormwater pumping station on Soi Hua Hin 102.
At the opening, Sitthichai said the Office of the National Water Resources planned to install water monitoring systems at seven locations across Hua Hin to support forecasting and early warnings. A water mapping system would help officials anticipate changes in water flows and prepare their response.
He also outlined other measures to reduce flooding, including the excavation and expansion of retention ponds at Royal Hua Hin Golf Course. The ponds use the “monkey cheek” approach, temporarily holding floodwater to ease pressure on drainage systems.
Provincial authorities and the Utokapat Foundation had surveyed the area and inspected the drainage network, including the Royal Initiative Canal, to identify how water could be drained more effectively and reduce the risk of another severe flood.
Dr Royol Chitradon, secretary-general of the Utokapat Foundation under Royal Patronage and adviser to the Hydro-Informatics Institute, presented details of the information system project at the ceremony. Provincial and municipal officials also attended.