Bangkok governor blames power problem for major flooding on Friday

[webfact]

Bangkok governor blames power problem for major flooding on Friday

By The Nation

 

File photo

 

THE giant drainage tunnel in Bang Sue failed to help as Bangkokians found themselves stranded in traffic for hours or wading through flooded roads last Friday.

 

This failure has raised questions about the tunnel’s efficiency as well as the city administration’s much-touted claim that such tunnels will be able to save Bangkok from floods. 

 

This time, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is blaming the failure on electricity hiccups that required the tunnel’s system to re-start and slowed down the process of draining the roads. “But I can assure you there will be no recurrence of such problems,” Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang said yesterday, adding he has already invited Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) representatives to jointly inspect the tunnel and its systems.

 

 

According to Aswin, initial inspection showed that some fuses at the Samsen and Bang Son soldering stations, which handle power distribution, were out of order. “They are now replaced. The voltage of fuses was also boosted from 100 to 200 amps,” Aswin said. “This will prevent brownouts, which make the tunnel unusable.” 

 

Aswin confessed that the BMA was unable to reserve power to run the Bang Sue giant drainage tunnel, because it requires huge soldering stations. 

 

“We have now assigned relevant authorities to urgently prepare a power supply of 6,600 volts to back up the operations at drainage tunnels,” Aswin said. 

 

He added that the MEA has also been asked to station officials at every drainage tunnel and pump station in Bangkok during the rainy season, so as to ensure that in the event of any power hiccups, problems can be fixed immediately. “We will bear the cost,” he added. 

 

MEA assistant governor and spokesman Jaturong Suriyasasin said some fuses have been replaced to boost the security and efficiency of the tunnel’s power system. However, he said, so far it is still unclear what had actually stopped the system from distributing electricity to the drainage system. “We are going to investigate this thoroughly,” he said. 

 

Jaturong said power had been quickly restored to the distribution system, but the staff were delayed by flooding and traffic jams.

 

Aswin assured the public that the BMA had already prepared other flood-prevention measures, such as dredging canals and installing or repairing pumps. 

 

As for photos about garbage blocking the Lad Phrao Canal, which were shared by prominent activist Srisuwan Janya, the governor claimed these photographs were taken in 2017 and 2018. When asked about the calls for his resignation over his failure to prevent flood, Aswin said he will step down if that will help save the capital from inundation. “But the truth is: if I quit, who will solve flood problems?” he said. 

 

Meanwhile, Deputy Bangkok Governor Chakkaphan Phewngam said the accumulated rainfall in the city last Friday stood at 136 millimetres, and even peaked to 160mm per hour in some areas.

 

“That’s too much for the existing drainage system to handle,” he said. He added that there were 14 flood-risk areas in Bangkok, including a portion of Chaeng Wattana Road from Prapa Canal to Prem Prachakorn Canal; in front of Bangkok Bank on Ratchadaphisek Road; and a portion of Phaholyothin road from Amornphan Market to Kaset intersection. 

 

“These areas can be flooded even when rainfall is less than 60 millimetres,” Chakkaphan said, adding 56 other areas in Bangkok were prone to flooding.

 

Among these are: a portion of Ngam Wong Wan Road near the Kaset intersection; the portion of Rama IV Road between Sukhumvit intersection and Kasemrat Hospital intersection; the portion of Ratchadaphisek Road from the Ratchayothin intersection to Soi Arpapirom; and the Prachasongkroh Road. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30370859

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-06-11

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[KMartinHandyman]

And if a 200 amp fuse fails we’ll use a roll of ฿10 coins next time.

[Chang_paarp]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

According to Aswin, initial inspection showed that some fuses at the Samsen and Bang Son soldering stations, which handle power distribution, were out of order. “They are now replaced. The voltage of fuses was also boosted from 100 to 200 amps,” Aswin said. “This will prevent brownouts, which make the tunnel unusable.” 

 

This shows a complete understanding of how the electrical system works. ????

 

If you live anywhere near these pumps, be ready for brown-outs and black-outs next rain as they give priority to the pumps to save face for the governor.

[JAS21]

50 minutes ago, Chang_paarp said:

This shows a complete understanding of how the electrical system works. ????

 

If you live anywhere near these pumps, be ready for brown-outs and black-outs next rain as they give priority to the pumps to save face for the governor.

Yes ... he understands little about the problem which seems pretty clear... and he should know more as it is a major one ...

 

He should employ people who do understand the problem... put the right people in the right jobs and progress will be made ...this stinks of lack of maintenance, disaster planning ... their must be a decent size budget allocated ... MB

 

Fuse blows ...put a nail in ... .......

[Crossy]

If the fuse pops, put in a bigger one! Yeah, that will be fine.

 

I have no idea what these "soldering stations" are, evidently an autocorrect but of what, sub-station one presumes.

 

Part of the design of this type of project is provision of adequate power supply, probably redundant in case one source goes down.

 

Wasn't there a problem last year with some diesel pumps, lost keys??

[ezzra]

Many of these high office holders are political appointees far less removed from any knowledge of electrical, water and environmental managements, they are there to provide excuses and say sorry and of course, line their pockets and their cronies and lackeys for the most parts...

[YetAnother]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

However, he said, so far it is still unclear what had actually stopped the system from distributing electricity to the drainage system. “We are going to investigate this thoroughly,” he said.

assuring it wont happen again Before knowing the real problem, neat trick

[Cadbury]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Bangkok governor blames power problem for major flooding

Back in October 2016 PM Prayut used Article 44 to appoint this incompetent bonehead to the position of Governor for purely political reasons. Now the people of Bangkok are getting payback as a result of Prayut's self serving administrative scheming. 

Blame Prayut!

 

[peter2186]

I worked in an office with around 100 Thai engineers and any one of them is more than competent to design and construct an adequate pumping station that will fit the needs for managing floods. This appears to be the result of poor engineering, poor maintenance and lack of back up power - fuses, not impressed with that excuse!!

[NCC1701A]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The voltage of fuses was also boosted from 100 to 200 amps

the voltage? wrong.

 

100 to 200? suddenly the entire system can handle twice the load?

 

let her rip!

[Genmai]

1 hour ago, Crossy said:

Wasn't there a problem last year with some diesel pumps, lost keys??

 

[a977]

your slowly running out of excuses Governor, if you hadn't siphoned off the cream from the cake you would've put the higher voltage fuses in already  

[Youlike]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

According to Aswin, initial inspection showed that some fuses at the Samsen and Bang Son soldering stations, which handle power distribution, were out of order. “They are now replaced. The voltage of fuses was also boosted from 100 to 200 amps,” Aswin said. “This will prevent brownouts, which make the tunnel unusable.” 

 

Just like that...upgrade them fuses and it'll work fine....can try....

[Youlike]

16 minutes ago, a977 said:

your slowly running out of excuses Governor, if you hadn't siphoned off the cream from the cake you would've put the higher voltage fuses in already  

You can never just change the amps of the fuses...it will lead to fire...

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

But I can assure you there will be no recurrence of such problems,” Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang said yesterday,

If it does... sack him !!!!!

[Crossy]

6 minutes ago, Youlike said:

You can never just change the amps of the fuses...it will lead to fire...

 

Indeed. Plenty of water there to put it out mind ????

 

[Emdog]

9 minutes ago, Youlike said:

You can never just change the amps of the fuses...it will lead to fire...

They've got that covered: the flooding will put out the fire. Even electrical fires. Dang Crossy you are quicker on the post than moi

[bluesofa]

6 minutes ago, Youlike said:

You can never just change the amps of the fuses...it will lead to fire...

As my college college electronics lecturer always said: The easiest type of fault-finding device is a six-inch nail.

Use that to replace the fuse, and the fault will be eliminated within seconds. Then just replace the item that caught fire/exploded.

[kotsak]

16 minutes ago, Youlike said:

You can never just change the amps of the fuses...it will lead to fire...

That's the next episode's plot ????

[overherebc]

54 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

the voltage? wrong.

 

100 to 200? suddenly the entire system can handle twice the load?

 

let her rip!

You worry too much. I've got a few things plugged in in my kitchen. Ok tbe fuse blew a couple of times but I replaced with a cut down 6" nail and haven't had a problem since.

[worgeordie]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

. “But I can assure you there will be no recurrence of such problems,” Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang said

I think he means "till the next time"

regards Worgeordie

[shady86]

Why leaders here can't blame themselves for thier incompetence. I wonder what will be the blame victim next?

[Denim]

3 minutes ago, shady86 said:

Why leaders here can't blame themselves for thier incompetence. I wonder what will be the blame victim next?

Breaker failure.

[lvr181]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Aswin said he will step down if that will help save the capital from inundation. “But the truth is: if I quit, who will solve flood problems?” he said. 

Wow - that is "senior" politician speak! (no finger pointing). ????

 

Amazing Thailand Bangkok - They never learn from their incompetance. With that trait perhaps there is room for them in the RTP? ????

[newnative]

    I can assure you this WILL happen again.

[MaxLee]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Bangkok governor blames power problem for major flooding on Friday

Yeah, he's right..... the POWER of stupidity caused the major flooding, and it will not be the last time in this year

[DPKANKAN]

3 hours ago, Crossy said:

"soldering stations

That is where the Almy ballacks are silly!! 5555

[bluesofa]

4 minutes ago, newnative said:

    I can assure you this WILL happen again.

Aha! You've just been giving the position of fortune teller.

[MaxLee]

Well is there any chances, that people get electrocuted, LOL? 

[rtco]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

“But the truth is: if I quit, who will solve flood problems?”

You didn't so quit and let someone else try.