Bangkok braces for possible flooding

BANGKOK, May 28 (TNA) – The Bangkok Metropolitan Authority (BMA) announced its readiness to tackle a possible deluge, forcast to hit the capital later this year and to be worse than those in the previous years.

Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin said water has been drained from major canals in preparations for water run-off from the North.

The BMA has closely coordinate with the Royal Irrigation Department in monitoring the volume of water in Bhumibol, Sirikit and Pasak Cholasit dams, said the governor, adding that a 70-kilometre dyke has been built on the Chao Phraya riverbank to prevent flooding.

Sewers have been cleard up and water pumps will be available but, Mr. Apirak said, more pumps are needed if the amount of rainfall exceeds 60 millimetres an hour.

The governor made his remark in light of a warning on floods in Bangkok by Mr. Smith Tumsaroch, Vice Minister Attached to the Prime Minister's Office, who blamed the La Nina phenomenon for the excessive amount of rainfall this year.

Mr. Smith, concurrently Chairman of the National Disaster Committee (NDC), said the La Nina effect and monsoons could lead to water run-off from the North to Bangkok possibly in November and December which unfortunately coincides with a higher level of sea water in the capital.

Emphasizing an urgent need for warning systems in disaster-prone areas throughout the country, Mr. Smith said the NDC would, in the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, seek its approval for a budget of 288 million baht for the systems.

TNA
May 28, 2006