Major source of floodwater to cave found – and diverted to farmland
A team of 100 forestry officials, irrigation officials and local resident volunteers on Monday morning found a major source feeding floodwater into the Tham Luang cave where the 12 young footballers and their coach assistant have been trapped since June 23.
The water has already been diverted onto nearby farmland after the group’s days-long search for major sources of water entering the cave paid off, said Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation deputy director-general Chongkhlai Voraphongston on Monday. Chongkhlai and other department officials participated in the task.
The move could help reduce the amount of water pouring into the cave by 60 per cent, he said,
Local farmers and residents had previously agreed to water being diverted to their lands to aid in the search. But the amount of water diverted from this source will not cause flooding of farms, said Chongkhlai.
The group will continue to search for additional, though smaller water sources that feed into the cave and divert them away, Chongkhlai said.
Major rainstorms are expected to return to the area on Wednesday.