All Eyes In Bangkok On Chao Phraya River

[webfact]

All eyes on the river

By THE NATION ON SUNDAY

Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra yesterday expressed confidence that moves employed by city officials should be enough to prevent flooding despite the Royal Irrigation Department's call to add a metre to the 2.5-metre-high permanent flood barrier and sandbag dike along the Chao Phraya River.

Sukhumbhand told a press conference yesterday it was impossible to add a metre to the height of the whole 77km-long flood barrier and dike line within two days because he "forgot to ask gods for help". But he didn't think the water level would exceed 2.5 metres.

However he told a 3.30pm meeting with 13 district chiefs that the city's Drainage and Sewerage Department added 30cm on Friday to the 2.5m sandbag dike in 10 spots - located outside the permanent flood barrier - to protect riverside communities especially in Bangkok Noi, Bang Phlat and Dusit areas.

The city also closed 214 water gates to prevent inner Bangkok from flooding and had 157 existing drainage facilities to pump water out into Chao Phraya, he told the meeting.

At the press conference, Sukhumbhand admitted that Bangkok faces a "perfect storm" situation in which it will be hit by rain, run-off from the North and high sea tides at the same time.

He said water was pouring into the Chao Phraya at a rate of 4,323 cubic metres a second and the river level at Pak Klong Talat was at 1.76 metres above sea level.

Five moves undertaken by city officials include:

- using 200,000 sandbags out of four million prepared to plug holes along the sandbag dike outside the permanent flood barrier;

- piling up more sandbags for greater height at risky spots;

- getting the Royal Irrigation Department to release water from dams systematically to reduce a chance of flood;

- setting up wooden bridges and elevated walkways in 27 communities at risk, and;

- preparing 1,065 water pumps at key spots.

The RID's Flood Analysis Centre yesterday reported the flow of water at key spots on the Chao Phraya as: 2,696 cubic metres a second at Nakhon Sawan, 3,073 metres a second at Chao Phraya Dam, 1,251 metres a second at Rama VI Dam, and 3,004 metres a second at Ayutthaya's Bang Sai district.

It said the river had risen due to six billion cubic metres in run-off from the North and continuous heavy rain in the lower Ping and Yom river basins. Total rain from October 17-21 was at 222 ml in Tak, 159ml in Sukhothai, 183ml in Kamphaeng Phet and 177ml in Nakhon Sawan.

With 450 cubic metres a second coming the Sakae Krang river basin added to the 2,900-3,000 cubic metres a second pouring into the river at Nakhon Sawan, the amount of water amount passing through the Chao Phraya Dam would rise during this period.

This would also occur at a time of high tidal inflows from tomorrow till Wednesday.

Ayuthaya's Bang Sai district would see water passing by at a rate of 4,000 cubic metres a second. Runoff would cause the river to swell by 40cm, so the RID urged city officials to add one metre to the height of Bangkok flood barriers - and for riverside residents to closely follow news reports.

-- The Nation 2010-10-24

[Robby nz]

CP river is up again at Sing buri this morning.

Around 12.3m now, must go through waist deep water to get to where the guage is so didnt bother.

Record high here since the bridge was built was 12.98m.

So getting up there.

[wasabi]

Bangkok's destiny is the same as Atlantis. They never should have gotten rid of the klongs.

[taff33]

Thaksin at it again.A gift from the north

[bulmercke]

QUOTE FROM OP:"(The) Royal Irrigation Department's call to add a metre to the 2.5-metre-high permanent flood barrier and sandbag dike along the Chao Phraya River."

"Sukhumbhand told a press conference yesterday it was impossible to add a metre to the height of the whole 77km-long flood barrier and dike line within two days because he "forgot to ask gods for help."

So the implication is that the authorities are now fairly powerless to prevent major flooding in the capital and out-lying districts.

Parts of Bangkok are going to look like Waterworld this time next week.

[rakman]

QUOTE FROM OP:"(The) Royal Irrigation Department's call to add a metre to the 2.5-metre-high permanent flood barrier and sandbag dike along the Chao Phraya River."

"Sukhumbhand told a press conference yesterday it was impossible to add a metre to the height of the whole 77km-long flood barrier and dike line within two days because he "forgot to ask gods for help."

So the implication is that the authorities are now fairly powerless to prevent major flooding in the capital and out-lying districts.

Parts of Bangkok are going to look like Waterworld this time next week.

At 4,323 cubic meters/sec to drain 6 billion cubic meters of water will take about 400 hours. Lets hope there won't be significant rain until the water recedes.

My sympathies to those affected and sadness for lives lost.

[webfact]

Water level in Chao Phraya River rises 20 cm, highest in this year; overflowing banks in several areas in Nonthaburi /MCOT

[LivinLOS]

With all the threads and competing news v speculation and opinion.. Is it worth having one central 'news only' locked thread.. Similar to the red riots period, to follow the factual data only as this situation evolves ?? Suitable for an ongoing breaking news issue surely.

Posts like webfacts above are the sort of info I mean.

[whybother]

With all the threads and competing news v speculation and opinion.. Is it worth having one central 'news only' locked thread.. Similar to the red riots period, to follow the factual data only as this situation evolves ?? Suitable for an ongoing breaking news issue surely.

Posts like webfacts above are the sort of info I mean.

Check this:

It worked so well during the riot period that it has been done daily since then.

[dude007]

Bangkok's destiny is the same as Atlantis. They never should have gotten rid of the klongs.

There is truth in these words, although... Buffering flood waters is a common practice and even His Majesty the King initiated such project for Bangkok called "The Monkey Cheeks". But unfortunately, this solution is only temporary because we talk about 5,000 m3 per second of water to be evacuated through the Chao Phraya in Bangkok. If Klongs were 10 meters wide in average and we store 1 meter of additional water above the normal level (which would already be a serious problem) then every 2 second we fill up 1 Km of klongs. Can you see how fast this goes? There is of course a limited run-off from the Klongs and a drainage capacity of approx. 4,800 m3/sec of the Chao Phraya, but still...

This problem is much more structural than everyone thought. The solution is between the Maekhlong in the West and the Pakong River in the East. Together with the Chao Phraya, this can be done and studies have proven it. What is RID waiting for?

What Sukhumband suggests are measures after flooding has occurred, but then the damage is done already. He is right when he said that he forgot to ask the Gods. This man is at least realistic, not a populist as we have already seen so much in the past!

[LivinLOS]

With all the threads and competing news v speculation and opinion.. Is it worth having one central 'news only' locked thread.. Similar to the red riots period, to follow the factual data only as this situation evolves ?? Suitable for an ongoing breaking news issue surely.

Posts like webfacts above are the sort of info I mean.

Check this:

It worked so well during the riot period that it has been done daily since then.

OK thanks.. Bit too filled with non flood related news also, but will serve the task..

[globalmenace]

BMA urged to prepare as waters surge to capital

HIGHER FLOOD WALLS AMONG SUGGESTIONS; INUNDATION RISK HIGH FROM TOMORROW

The Royal Irrigation Department yesterday urged the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to raise flood protection walls along the banks of the Chao Phraya River by another metre, as the capital braces for flooding.

Sorry, at BMA we are too busy pretending we are police officers and nicking naive tourists for 2K baht for smoking near BTS stations. Can someone else take care of this?

[webfact]

Reinforced Thai capital readies for rising waters

BANGKOK, October 24, 2010 (AFP) - Bangkok braced for rising waters encroaching on the fortified city on Sunday as the death toll from two weeks of nationwide flooding rose to 38, emergency officials said.

The floods, which began on October 10, have affected millions of people across huge swathes of the country, inundating thousands of homes and leaving authorities struggling to reach people stranded in remote areas.

The capital has reinforced its flood walls with 200,000 sandbags and will build temporary wooden bridges in 27 communities to help people cross over waterlogged streets.

More than 1,000 water pumps are on standby and authorities are preparing schools, monasteries and mosques in 13 districts for evacuation.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said that while floods in the kingdom's east and northeast were declining, the situation in central provinces was concerning, especially with high tides expected in the next few days.

"I'm trying my best to mobilise all possible assistance to solve this problem," he said on his weekly television broadcast.

The Emergency Medical Institute of Thailand reported a further six deaths to add to Saturday's toll of 32, who were swept to their deaths or killed in accidents as vehicles were carried away by the churning waters.

The two worst-hit northeastern provinces of Nakhon Ratchasima and Buriram have each reported six deaths, while six people were also killed in Lop Buri and three died in Khon Kaen.

A further 17 people have died in eight more provinces across central, northeastern and eastern areas, including one in Nonthaburi province, just north of Bangkok.

The Irrigation Department on Saturday issued warnings to people living in seven low-lying provinces, including Bangkok, as water from further north began to flow downstream.

Around 4,000 cubic metres (a million gallons) of water per second was expected to flow into the capital's Chao Phraya river, which coupled with high sea levels surging from the other direction could cause floods in parts of the city.

More than 2.5 million people, or 828,443 households, have been affected by the two weeks of flooding, which has hit 30 out of Thailand's 76 provinces, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said.

Bad weather has battered countries in the region in recent weeks, with dozens killed in Vietnamese floods and nearly 50 people left dead in the Philippines and Taiwan by Typhoon Megi, which has roared into southern China.

In western Myanmar, Cyclone Giri killed at least one person on Friday and left tens of thousands in need of help

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-10-24

[chantorn]

People vs nature.

We all know who will finally win.

Go see the movie "2012"

[tigermonkey]

AmazingThailand once again -- or perhaps it should be amazing Bangkok -- the headline says it all " All eyes in Bangkok are now on the Chao Phraya River -- the plight of the rest of the country is long forgotten -- it matters little to the government that people in many other parts of Thailand are still stranded without food or shelter, and some dying -- the only focus now of the government is to protect Bangkok .

Where is the mobilization of aid and relief promised several days ago to the many other provinces which have severe ongoing problems ? There is no problem yet in Bangkok, and there yet may be no major problem in Bangkok. ... but Bangkok now gets all the attention and relief work.

Do you understand why so many do not trust the elite of Bangkok ?

Edited October 24, 2010 by tigermonkey

[bulmercke]

AmazingThailand once again -- or perhaps it should be amazing Bangkok -- the headline says it all " All eyes in Bangkok are now on the Chao Phraya River -- the plight of the rest of the country is long forgotten -- it matters little to the government that people in many other parts of Thailand are still stranded without food or shelter, and some dying -- the only focus now of the government is to protect Bangkok .

Where is the mobilization of aid and relief promised several days ago to the many other provinces which have severe ongoing problems ? There is no problem yet in Bangkok, and there yet may be no major problem in Bangkok. ... but Bangkok now gets all the attention and relief work.

Do you understand why so many do not trust the elite of Bangkok ?

What about the deliberate and intentional flooding of populated up-country areas - where they let the water out - in order to alleviate the flood threat to Bangkok?

[chantorn]

AmazingThailand once again -- or perhaps it should be amazing Bangkok -- the headline says it all " All eyes in Bangkok are now on the Chao Phraya River -- the plight of the rest of the country is long forgotten -- it matters little to the government that people in many other parts of Thailand are still stranded without food or shelter, and some dying -- the only focus now of the government is to protect Bangkok .

Where is the mobilization of aid and relief promised several days ago to the many other provinces which have severe ongoing problems ? There is no problem yet in Bangkok, and there yet may be no major problem in Bangkok. ... but Bangkok now gets all the attention and relief work.

Do you understand why so many do not trust the elite of Bangkok ?

In Thailand, there are only 2 type of people.

Bankokian (Kon Khrung Thep) and Rural People (Kon Ban Nork).

So which are you; or let me re-phase, which one will be like to be?

[apetley]

People vs nature.

We all know who will finally win.

Go see the movie "2012"

You do know that the movie 2012 isn't a documentary don't you?

[george]

Chao Phya has spilled in2 Bkk, affecting areas under Amarin flyover, Thonburi, Bkk Noi. Water 2 peak on Tues. -@ThaiKhuFah

[SergeiY]

People vs nature.

We all know who will finally win.

Go see the movie "2012"

You do know that the movie 2012 isn't a documentary don't you?

It isn't? Are you sure? Please tell me the truth.

/non-English sentence deleted //Admin

Edited October 24, 2010 by webfact

[george]

Disaster Prevention & Mitigation Dept: Floods continue in 28 provinces, recede in three provinces. River has spilled into Bangkok, water to peak on Tuesday.

[rubl]

People vs nature.

We all know who will finally win.

Go see the movie "2012"

You do know that the movie 2012 isn't a documentary don't you?

It isn't? Are you sure? Please tell me the truth.

For the poor souls amongst the members and readers who didn't have a classical education, or don't know how to search:

""Everything changes and nothing remains still"", Plato

[slapout]

People vs nature.

We all know who will finally win.

Go see the movie "2012"

You do know that the movie 2012 isn't a documentary don't you?

It isn't? Are you sure? Please tell me the truth.

The truth, ok, Its not nice to mock mother nature nor her creatures. I wish you would take your little rubber duck and your bath tub out and play in the rising river.

[Portlandstone]

In Thailand, there are only 2 type of people.

Bankokian (Kon Khrung Thep) and Rural People (Kon Ban Nork).

So which are you; or let me re-phase, which one will be like to be?

This user Chantorn, I don't know whether it is a thai male, female, or ladyboy, but always posts on threads trying to show how much wit he / she has, only to prove they have none.

[george]

Public Health Minister calls an urgent meeting to prepare for possible flooding of 124 hospitals near the ChaoPhya River. #Thaiflood /@suthichai

[OzMick]

AmazingThailand once again -- or perhaps it should be amazing Bangkok -- the headline says it all " All eyes in Bangkok are now on the Chao Phraya River -- the plight of the rest of the country is long forgotten -- it matters little to the government that people in many other parts of Thailand are still stranded without food or shelter, and some dying -- the only focus now of the government is to protect Bangkok .

Where is the mobilization of aid and relief promised several days ago to the many other provinces which have severe ongoing problems ? There is no problem yet in Bangkok, and there yet may be no major problem in Bangkok. ... but Bangkok now gets all the attention and relief work.

Do you understand why so many do not trust the elite of Bangkok ?

Your red suit says it all. Why not concentrate on the area of highest population density, not to mention income production, where all the floodwaters will converge? You want relief? Who do you think is going to pay for it?

[Bagwan]

Public Health Minister calls an urgent meeting to prepare  for possible flooding of 124 hospitals near the ChaoPhya River. #Thaiflood /@suthichai

Doesn't this just sum up the Thai Government(s) mentality? Doesn't BKK or parts of it flood every year? Are there no standing orders/plans to cover procedures to be undertaken in the likelihood of further inundations?

1. Review needs.

2. Plan procedures/measures to satisfy needs.

3. Implement procedures/measures.

4. Apres le deluge, review effectiveness of measures taken.

5 Go to 1.

In the fullness of time, unless Murphy's law intercedes, the problem is solved. It's not rocket science.

[agudbuk]

In 5 years, 10 years or 50 years it would seem destined that Bangkok will once more become a city of klongs; perhaps a true Venice of the East. Long tail boats instead of buses and moorings at what are now the second floor windows of offices and condos.

There will have to be a lot of long term planning and heavy investment to avoid the scenario. Reforestation to alleviate flooding, higher dykes to prevent sea incursion all take a lot of long term effort and finance.

The flooding can be delayed but if sea levels and flood levels rise then eventually the capital will have to be abandoned.

Bangkok is not alone with this possible future problem; many of the worlds major cities are built on low lying land at tidal river mouths where nautical trade built up. London, New Orleans, Bangkok, different parts of the world but potentially same long term problem.

Perhaps the smart money should head for the hills now.

[junkofdavid2]

Which are the "13 districts" of Bangkok in the danger zone???

[Hitch22]

In 5 years, 10 years or 50 years it would seem destined that Bangkok will once more become a city of klongs; perhaps a true Venice of the East. Long tail boats instead of buses and moorings at what are now the second floor windows of offices and condos.

There will have to be a lot of long term planning and heavy investment to avoid the scenario. Reforestation to alleviate flooding, higher dykes to prevent sea incursion all take a lot of long term effort and finance.

The flooding can be delayed but if sea levels and flood levels rise then eventually the capital will have to be abandoned.

Bangkok is not alone with this possible future problem; many of the worlds major cities are built on low lying land at tidal river mouths where nautical trade built up. London, New Orleans, Bangkok, different parts of the world but potentially same long term problem.

Perhaps the smart money should head for the hills now.

Very true, and yet they keep building condos and houses like there is no tomorrow ....