Bangkok braces for flood-tide: Governor takes early action

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has introduced preventive measures in response to reports that floods from the northern provinces of Thailand are expected to hit Bangkok within the next six days.

Chadchart informed Channel 7 about measures the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has prepared to prevent flooding in the city. The main measures include closely monitoring the flood situation in northern Thailand, checking flood prevention barriers and high-risk flooding spots, and preparing to manage the predicted deluge of rainwater.

The 58 year old city chief insisted that the situation in Bangkok would not be the same as the severe flooding in 2011 because two main dams, the Bhumibol and Sirikit Dams, are currently able to store more water. In 2011, both dams were full, and officials had to release water to prevent damage to the dams.

Chadchart further explained that floodwater from the northern province of Nan is the main concern as it would flow along the Yom and Nan Rivers into the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok and nearby provinces. However, the volume of water is not substantial.

The governor also assured that all high-risk flooding spots in Bangkok have been equipped with better water barriers. The Department of Drainage and Sewerage and each district office have also prepared over 1.5 million sandbags.

Flood prevention barriers have also been installed along the Chao Phraya River, from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Pier under the Somdet Phra Pinklao Bridge in Phra Nakhon district to Wat Soi Thong Pier in Bang Sue district.

According to Chadchart, his main concern is the amount of rain within Bangkok. The city would need time to drain the water if there is heavy rainfall. However, it would take less than three hours because the BMA has implemented flooding prevention measures throughout the year, including the opening of 1,300 drainage channels in each canal and dredging the sewer for over 4,300 kilometres.

Regarding the flooding situation in the northern provinces of Thailand, water levels in Chiang Rai, Nan, Phayao, Phitsanulok, and Sukhothai remain a concern. More heavy rain is also forecast for the area.