Efforts Stepped Up for Flood Control in the Inner Districts of Bangkok

(24/10/2011)

The flooding situation in the inner districts of Bangkok is controllable, according to a prominent water expert, but the situation in the outer districts of Don Mueang and Lak Si is still worrisome. As Bangkok is the country’s most important economic area, measures have been implemented to protect the city from flooding. In his explanation of the situation in Bangkok, former Director-General of the Royal Irrigation Department, Pramote Maiklad, who is also a water expert, said that the water level in the city is now stable but will change following the weeken's high tides. An overflow problem might occur, but it would be brought under control by all relevant agencies. Speaking at the Flood Relief Operations Center, Mr. Pramote stated that flood water would be drained into the inner districts of Bangkok under appropriate controls. After that, it would be released into the Chao Phraya River and later into the sea. Officials would take necessary steps to ensure the least impact on the local residents. At the Flood Relief Operations Center in Don Mueang, meanwhile, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said that since flood water will be passing through Bangkok before being released into the sea, Bangkok residents might be affected by the huge volume of water. Even so, she said, flood water in the city is likely to be between 50 centimeters and one meter high, depending on the situation in each area. Minister of Science and Technology Plodprasop Suraswadi said that, based on an assessment, stagnant flood water would remain for about one month, or one month and a half. The most critical period for Bangkok would be this week when the water level is high. He said that officials had created better understanding with local people in various zones, who agreed to cooperate by not obstructing the opening of sluice gates. With good cooperation, he believed that the situation would continue to improve. Experts believe that following high tides by the end of October, the water level in the Chao Phraya River will return to normalcy, thus enabling the river to accommodate more stagnant water from adjacent areas, and the flooding situation will ease.