Bangkok's New Drainage System Cuts Flood Clearance Time in Half

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Picture courtesy: Somchai Poomlard/Bangkok Post

 

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt announced that the newly implemented drainage system on Udomsuk Road has significantly improved rainwater clearance efficiency. The announcement comes after heavy rainfall swept through the city, prompting an on-site assessment by the governor.

 

In light of heavy floods and The Meteorological Department of Thailand's (TMD) declaration of the rainy season, Chadchart inspected Udomsuk Road, also known as Sukhumvit Soi 103. Remarkably, the upgraded drainage system reduced the time required to clear rainwater to just half an hour.

 

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) officials reported that the new o-gutter system, which replaced outdated infrastructure, has greatly boosted drainage performance. This system not only drains water swiftly but is also easier to clean, thereby reducing the risk of blockages that typically lead to flooding.

 

Chadchart mentioned that the surrounding footpaths were also upgraded to further enhance the area’s drainage capacity. Once the damaged Bueng Nong Bon drainage tunnel is repaired, additional improvements in the drainage efficiency of Udomsuk Road and other sections of Bang Na district are expected.

 

 

In a related update, Deputy Bangkok Governor Tavida Kamolvej introduced an action plan called "Nine Plans, 9 Disasters," focused on addressing various disasters, including floods during the rainy season. This plan will be presented to the Interior Ministry’s committee on disaster prevention and mitigation in the coming month.

 

Moreover, the BMA will outline its future initiatives and achievements in a presentation next Tuesday, marking the second anniversary of Chadchart’s tenure. Key accomplishments include the opening of 21 new public parks, the planting of around 400,000 trees, and improved waste separation processes that have reduced daily waste by up to 700 tonnes. Additionally, the lunch budget for schools and nurseries under the BMA’s jurisdiction has been increased.

 

The TMD’s 10-day weather forecast indicates a southwest monsoon, bringing scattered rain and thunderstorms until Saturday, with a brief lull before rain picks up again mid-next week.

 

-- 2024-05-23

 

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