Bangkok Braces For Severe Floods

[george]

Bangkok braces for severe floods

BANGKOK: -- BMA sets up emergency centre, pumps and sandbags to tackle expected floodwaters. Authorities launched measures yesterday to assist Bangkok residents expected to be affected by severe flooding after tropical storm “Vicente” strikes today. The Bangkok Metropolitan Authority (BMA) has set up an emergency centre to tackle the impact of flooding. The centre will cooperate with three radio stations to keep people informed with the latest storm news.

In addition, five telephone hotlines will be available for anyone in need of assistance. These are 1644, 1677, 1137, 1555 and (02) 248 5115.

About 2,000 pumps have been set up to control flooding in the capital, as well as 1.7 million sandbags, which will be used to prevent water from the Chao Phya River overflowing into the capital, Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin announced.

Prime Minister’s Office Minister Newin Chidchob also declared yesterday special services for Bangkok drivers who run into trouble during the storm. A fleet of large forklift trucks will be on standby at 10 stations around the city ready to remove six- to 10-wheeled trucks that hit difficulty. There will also be 130 smaller forklifts available to remove or repair smaller vehicles, he said.

Drivers in trouble should call the 1376 hotline number.

The tropical storm is expected to hit Bangkok today and is expected to cause widespread flooding in the capital from , when the BMA’s centre will begin operations.

“Normally, rainfall in Bangok is less than 60 millimetres and we could drain that water within an hour. However, the continual rainfall we will face today is expected to cause flooding as high as 150mm, making it impossible to drain the water,” .

The problem might be more serious as most canals and swamp areas are already filled to brimming with water, he said.

Apart from Bangkok, the weather men yesterday warned nine provinces in the East and Northeast to expect to feel the brunt of the tropical storm: Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaew, Chantaburi and Trat.

Fishermen in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand were also warned to expect strong winds for the next four days.

Meanwhile, residents in the provinces of Nakhon Sawan, Phichit and Chachoengsao yesterday were already facing serious flooding.

In Nakhon Sawan, about 500 banana farms in Chum Saeng district were hit by a 150cm-deep flood, forcing farmers to harvest their product early. Subsequently, they had to sell bananas at Bt2 per kilogram instead of the market price of Bt7.

In Phichit, continual rain has caused flooding in the districts of Sak Lek, Muang and Wangsai-phoon. Local villagers accused the provincial irrigation office of not opening the local dam’s water gate in time, causing the area to flood.

In Chachoengsao, flooded areas increased to affect 700 families yesterday. Water levels rapidly rose at the rate of 20cm per hour, creating concern that the local dam could break. Local radio stations broadcast a warning to residents to evacuate to higher ground. However, authorities denied at the end of the day that any danger had existed.

Despite flooding in other provinces, Phuket continues to suffer from drought. Deputy Interior Minister Somchai Sunthornvut visited the province yesterday and announced several measures to cope with the water shortage, including using water from old mine reservoirs and diverting water from Ratchaprapha Dam.

Local businessmen said they would invest Bt500 million to produce 10,000 cubic metres of freshwater per day from seawater. The project is expected to in the next six months.

-- The Nation 2005-09-18

[z21rhd]

Bangkok braces for severe floods

BANGKOK: -- BMA sets up emergency centre, pumps and sandbags to tackle expected floodwaters. Authorities launched measures yesterday to assist Bangkok residents expected to be affected by severe flooding after tropical storm “Vicente” strikes today.

About 2,000 pumps have been set up to control flooding in the capital, as well as 1.7 million sandbags, which will be used to prevent water from the Chao Phya River overflowing into the capital, Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin announced.

Prime Minister’s Office Minister Newin Chidchob also declared yesterday special services for Bangkok drivers who run into trouble during the storm.

The tropical storm is expected to hit Bangkok today and is expected to cause widespread flooding in the capital from , when the BMA’s centre will begin operations.

However, the continual rainfall we will face today is expected to cause flooding as high as 150mm, making it impossible to drain the water,” .

Apart from Bangkok, the weather men yesterday warned nine provinces in the East and Northeast to expect to feel the brunt of the tropical storm: Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaew, Chantaburi and Trat.

Fishermen in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand were also warned to expect strong winds for the next four days.

-- The Nation 2005-09-18

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It is hoped that the above forecast is not correct ! The Joint Typhoon Warning Centre predicts a different outcomeie, ie dissipating over land at 1800 UTC Sunday 18 Sept. See below :-

WTPN31 PGTW 172100

MSGID/GENADMIN/NAVPACMETOCCEN PEARL HARBOR HI/JTWC//

SUBJ/TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING//

RMKS/

1. TROPICAL STORM 16W (VICENTE) WARNING NR 008

01 ACTIVE TROPICAL CYCLONE IN NORTHWESTPAC

MAX SUSTAINED WINDS BASED ON ONE-MINUTE AVERAGE

---

WARNING POSITION:

171800Z --- NEAR 16.8N 110.2E

MOVEMENT PAST SIX HOURS - 285 DEGREES AT 16 KTS

POSITION ACCURATE TO WITHIN 060 NM

POSITION BASED ON CENTER LOCATED BY SATELLITE

PRESENT WIND DISTRIBUTION:

MAX SUSTAINED WINDS - 035 KT, GUSTS 045 KT

REPEAT POSIT: 16.8N 110.2E

---

FORECASTS:

12 HRS, VALID AT:

180600Z --- 18.0N 107.2E

MAX SUSTAINED WINDS - 030 KT, GUSTS 040 KT

VECTOR TO 24 HR POSIT: 300 DEG/ 15 KTS

---

24 HRS, VALID AT:

181800Z --- 19.4N 104.4E

MAX SUSTAINED WINDS - 025 KT, GUSTS 035 KT

DISSIPATING AS A SIGNIFICANT TROPICAL CYCLONE OVER LAND

VECTOR TO 36 HR POSIT: 295 DEG/ 17 KTS

---

36 HRS, VALID AT:

190600Z --- 20.7N 101.0E

MAX SUSTAINED WINDS - 015 KT, GUSTS 025 KT

DISSIPATED AS A SIGNIFICANT TROPICAL CYCLONE OVER LAND

---

REMARKS:

172100Z POSITION NEAR 17.1N 109.4E.

TROPICAL STORM (TS) 16W (VICENTE), LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 110 NM

SOUTH-SOUTHEAST OF HAINAN ISLAND, HAS TRACKED WEST-NORTHWESTWARD

AT 16 KNOTS OVER THE PAST SIX HOURS. MAXIMUM SIGNIFICANT WAVE

HEIGHT AT 171800Z IS 10 FEET. NEXT WARNINGS AT 180300Z, 180900Z,

181500Z AND 182100Z.//

NNNN

[bkkweb]

Thanks George,

this was very useful info.

[terdsak_12]

Sunday morning, lovely and sunny here in Bang-Na!!!! I was going to get the car washed, I'll not bother now.

[Jai Dee]

It is hard to believe isn't it?

It's a slightly overcast but basically sunny day in Pattaya too...

But the Thai news sources are taking this one very seriously... the following bulletins come from thaisnews.com on 17 กันยายน 2548...

RAINFALL IS EXPECTED FROM SEPT. 18TH TO 22ND

The Meteorological Centre in the northeastern region of Thailand has issued a warning about the approaching tropical depression during September 18th and 22nd.

Mr. KRIANGSAK KET-IN (เกรียงศักดิ์ เกตุอินทร์), the meteorologist from the Meteorological Centre in the UBON RATCHATHANI (อุบลราชธานี) Province, said precipitation is covering the lower region in the north, the upper area of the central region and the lower part in the northeast. The Meteorological Centre has forecasted that a tropical depression would advance to central Vietnam and Lao this Sunday (September 18th). Later, the depression may enter the northeastern region of Thailand. As a result, the winds in the Gulf of Thailand and the southern Andaman coast would be stronger. Around 40 to 60 percent of Thailand’s area would then be covered with rainfall between September 18th and 22nd.

The provinces of NONG KHAI, NAKORN PHANOM, MUKDAHARN, CHAIYAPHUM, NAKORN RATCHASIMA, YASOTHON, UBON RATCHATHANI and AMNAJ CHAROEN (หนองคาย นครพนม มุกดาหาร ชัยภูมิ นครราชสีมา ยโสธร อุบลราชธานี อำนาจเจริญ) may also confront with heavy precipitation.

Also this article...

BANGKOK COULD BE FLOODED OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS, IN THE WAKE OF AN APPROACHING TROPICAL STORM

The prime minister has ordered preparations for possible floods in Bangkok for the beginning of this coming week, in the wake of the tropical storm that will hit Vietnam tomorrow.

The Minister Attached to the Prime Minister's Office, Mr. Newin Chidchob (เนวิน ชิดชอบ), said the prime minister has ordered preparations for possible flooding in Bangkok, which could occur as an effect of the tropical storm that will make landfall in Vietnam tomorrow. This event will cause heavy rainfall in several provinces in Thailand over a period of 3-4 days. Therefore, the Prime Minister's Office has prepared 10 teams of volunteers and heavy lifting vehicles, as well as another 130 small teams, to assist people who could be affected by the flooding starting this Monday.

Flood-stricken people can call the Prime Minister's Office hotline on 1376 around the clock. They can also report to the Jor Sor Roi (จส.100) radio and Sor Wor Phor 91 (สวพ.91) radio stations.

[trigz]

Certainly could be interesting if we do get another downpour. The street drains around our area (near Don Muang) are still totally full of water from last weeks deluge and I have noticed that the Klongs and open drains all the way up to Rangsit are still at peak levels.

[Khutan]

Ok, I think I will go and buy an inflatable boat - just to get the 1.2km to work

[ilyushin]

Take a look. It is on the way.

http://www.intellicast.com/WeatherImg/Satellite/assat.gif

trigz you are right about Don Muang. In the air base it is the highest I have seen it in years.

George thanks for the posting. We all should make notes of the numbers listed.

Out the door for shopping!

Edited September 18, 2005 by ilyushin

[Foggy Bottom]

Bangkok braces for severe floods

BANGKOK: -- BMA sets up emergency centre, pumps and sandbags to tackle expected floodwaters. Authorities launched measures yesterday to assist Bangkok residents expected to be affected by severe flooding after tropical storm “Vicente” strikes today. The Bangkok Metropolitan Authority (BMA) has set up an emergency centre to tackle the impact of flooding. The centre will cooperate with three radio stations to keep people informed with the latest storm news.

In addition, five telephone hotlines will be available for anyone in need of assistance. These are 1644, 1677, 1137, 1555 and (02) 248 5115.

About 2,000 pumps have been set up to control flooding in the capital, as well as 1.7 million sandbags, which will be used to prevent water from the Chao Phya River overflowing into the capital, Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin announced.

Errr .... where they going to pump the water to? The pumping idea only works when sending the water to a lower surface level, and as the lower surface levels are the first to flood, this will be a bit like pushing it uphill with a broom.

Prime Minister’s Office Minister Newin Chidchob also declared yesterday special services for Bangkok drivers who run into trouble during the storm. A fleet of large forklift trucks will be on standby at 10 stations around the city ready to remove six- to 10-wheeled trucks that hit difficulty. There will also be 130 smaller forklifts available to remove or repair smaller vehicles, he said.

Ooh - lots of cars damaged by the fork lifts' tines (the metal "forks") should really make the citizens happy

Drivers in trouble should call the 1376 hotline number.

The tropical storm is expected to hit Bangkok today and is expected to cause widespread flooding in the capital from , when the BMA’s centre will begin operations.

“Normally, rainfall in Bangok is less than 60 millimetres and we could drain that water within an hour. However, the continual rainfall we will face today is expected to cause flooding as high as 150mm, making it impossible to drain the water,” .

As I said - where they going to send the water to?

The problem might be more serious as most canals and swamp areas are already filled to brimming with water, he said.

Err no - the canals are mostly infilled to create roads for the cars that will be lifted out by the forklifts

Apart from Bangkok, the weather men yesterday warned nine provinces in the East and Northeast to expect to feel the brunt of the tropical storm: Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaew, Chantaburi and Trat.

Fishermen in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand were also warned to expect strong winds for the next four days.

Does that mean a ban on the sale of baked beans then?

Meanwhile, residents in the provinces of Nakhon Sawan, Phichit and Chachoengsao yesterday were already facing serious flooding.

In Nakhon Sawan, about 500 banana farms in Chum Saeng district were hit by a 150cm-deep flood, forcing farmers to harvest their product early. Subsequently, they had to sell bananas at Bt2 per kilogram instead of the market price of Bt7.

In Phichit, continual rain has caused flooding in the districts of Sak Lek, Muang and Wangsai-phoon. Local villagers accused the provincial irrigation office of not opening the local dam’s water gate in time, causing the area to flood.

Hmmm - the opposite accusation to the one in Chiangmai, where the dam floodgates were opened too early and released the overflow at the same time as the rainwaters surged through the Ping river, leading to the flooding of half the city - poor Irrigation Authority just can't win can they?

In Chachoengsao, flooded areas increased to affect 700 families yesterday. Water levels rapidly rose at the rate of 20cm per hour, creating concern that the local dam could break. Local radio stations broadcast a warning to residents to evacuate to higher ground. However, authorities denied at the end of the day that any danger had existed.

left hand and right hand?

Despite flooding in other provinces, Phuket continues to suffer from drought. Deputy Interior Minister Somchai Sunthornvut visited the province yesterday and announced several measures to cope with the water shortage, including using water from old mine reservoirs and diverting water from Ratchaprapha Dam.

Local businessmen said they would invest Bt500 million to produce 10,000 cubic metres of freshwater per day from seawater. The project is expected to in the next six months.

-- The Nation 2005-09-18

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Seems that the perennial problem is best summed up by a German scientist on TV last month (talking about Australia's water shortage) - "It amazes me that countries continually allow their precious freshwater resources to drain into the sea - it's a bit like filling the car petrol tank when there's a hole in the botton of it".

[wcr]

Any rain you guys don't want up there would be most welcome in Pattaya

[sanook1]

This is quite a problem I remember 8 years ago (1996/7) on silom when it flooded so fast that cars were floating into eachother. Hope its not going to be the same. I thought the storm was going to stop as energy drops over land. Fingers crossed its just another smoggy day in the City

[Crushdepth]

Errr .... where they going to pump the water to? The pumping idea only works when sending the water to a lower surface level, and as the lower surface levels are the first to flood, this will be a bit like pushing it uphill with a broom.

Oh dear...Plan B?

[cobra]

I better look for my cheap shoes,

It's 1145, Sun, and not a half bad day (so far ) ...

[dantilley]

Does anyone know roughly what time the downpour is expected to start?

[Indo-Siam]

I certainly am not a weather expert, but looking at the various tropical storm websites, it sure looks like Vicente is going to hit land maybe around Da Nang, and then push northwestward into Laos, as it fades.

I'm not sure how far out from the epicenter the really heavy rains fall, but it seems like there might not be such a bad situation here in Bangkok. Da Nang is a long way from here. I guess we will soon see.

Indo-Siam

[mr_lob]

been pishing down in Krabi for the last 3 days.....dunno if its the same storm or not....

[george]

Storm expected to bring heavy rains

Emergency rescue units will be deployed

BANGKOK: -- A new tropical storm is expected to bring heavy rain to Bangkok today and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has prepared more than 1,000 water pumps and 1.7 million sandbags to cope with expected flooding. Residents living in flooded areas, particularly along the Chao Phraya river and canals, can request sandbags from their district offices, Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin said yesterday.

He said the city has set up a centre to deal with the flooding in cooperation with three public service radio stations. Residents may request help through their hotline numbers at 1555 for the BMA call centre, 1644 for Sor Wor Phor 91 radio, 1677 for Ruam Duay Chuay Kan radio, and 1137 for Jor Sor 100.

Meanwhile, 140 emergency rescue units with both men and vehicles will be deployed in the capital from tomorrow to help vehicles that may be disabled by floods, Prime Minister's Office Minister Newin Chidchob said yesterday.

He said the move was part of the ''roads of smiles'' project to cope with possible traffic jams and flooding as a result of heavy downpours expected this week.

The depression could hit Vietnam today and the Meteorological Department has predicted widespread rain in many parts of the country including Bangkok.

Of the 140 emergency rescue units, 10 will be equipped with large trucks to tow away large vehicles, and the other 130 with smaller trucks to remove lighter vehicles. Motorists can call Jor Sor 100 and the Sor Wor Phor 91 radio stations, the traffic police or the 1376 hotline for help and the units nearest to them will come to their help, said Mr Newin.

''In the past, we knew there would be problems but there were no specific units to help stalled vehicles. The prime minister, who is in the US and is concerned about the possible chaos the depression could cause, has ordered that preparations be made to help relieve traffic congestion in case of flooding,'' he said.

Mr Newin yesterday chaired a meeting of 600 student volunteers recruited to fight traffic problems at the Suan Dusit Rajabhat University.

He said that from Sept 22 the volunteers will take to the streets for six days to gather road information as well as public opinions and recommendations on how to solve traffic problems on three major city roads _ Phetchaburi road from Yommarat to Khlong Tan, Sukhumvit road from the Charoenphon intersection to Thepharak, and Rama IV road from Sam Yan to Kluay Namthai.

-- Bangkok Post 2005-09-18

[astral]

Any rain you guys don't want up there would be most welcome in Pattaya

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I thought you guys had been getting your share?

There were floods in Sri Racha this week and that is only 25Km north of Pattaya.

[george]

Bangkok braces for flooding as depression Vicente hits Northeast and other regions

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok is bracing for much more rain Sunday evening, water with no place to go, as season weather moves into Thailand from Vietnam and Laos.

A tropical depression moving across Laos and Cambodia from Vietnam is expected to hit the northern, northeastern and eastern regions of Thailand Sunday bearing heavy rainfall and possible flash floods, according to an announcement issued by the Meteorological Department.

The announcement, released Saturday evening, said the depression named Vicente--then centred 120 km east of the Vietnamese central province of Quang Tri--was expected to hit the province today.

At least 11 provinces in Thailand's North, Northeast and East are expected to expererience heavy rainfall and flash floods. As the depression moves further inland and then out to sea it will also cause heavy storms in both the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea for the next three or four days, the announcement said.

The warning came as a number of provinces in those regions are already flooded. In Kalasin province, for example, more than 2,000 rai of ricefields have been damage while commercial fisheries and fish farms in Yasothon province suffered extensive losses as water levels in the Chi River rose significantly.

Villagers in Roi Et built sandbag barriers to prevent floodwaters from entering their communities as the waters rose to some 1.5 metres.

In the norther province of Phitsanulok, water runoff from Sukhothai province to the north forced 270 families to evacuate to higher ground, including some near roadsides.

In Bangkok, Governor Apirak Kosayodhin said more than 1,000 pumps were ready for emergency use.

Each district office in the capital has 15 to 20 high capacity pumps on emergency standby and embankments built from some of the 1.7 million sandbags determined necessary to protect the city were already in place along the banks of the Chao Phya River.

Government weather forecasts allowed time for preparations to deflect floodwaters from and protect the city from excessive damage.

Mr. Apirak said water could be drained within an hour if the amount of rain was not more than 60 mm, except in certain areas such as Sri Nagarin road where there are no storm sewers even as adjacent areas are already inundated due to high tides and heavy rains in the past several days.

--TNA 2005-09-18

[MyNameIsFarang]

So what time is it going to start raining?

[george]

Latest satellite image

Another satellite image

Latest radar image

Link source: 2bangkok.com

[trevorfrench]

Oh great! I am scheduled to fly into Bangkok from Europe on the morning of Sept. 20. Maybe I should go to New Orleans instead.

[pkrv]

Hmmm, yes a klong runs through Chidlom, Bangkok.

Out of interest what happens to all those underground carparks during flooding, or have the builders thought of this issue?

How are you guys doing in Bangkok?

[Butterfly]

Mr. Apirak said water could be drained within an hour if the amount of rain was not more than 60 mm, except in certain areas such as Sri Nagarin road where there are no storm sewers even as adjacent areas are already inundated due to high tides and heavy rains in the past several days. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This is where I live

Still have water from last thursday, it was totally flooded

[Joey Boy]

well its 6pm, this storm should be hittin about now.. And its one of the nicest evenings theres been in bkk for weeks now

[jackjack]

rain rain go away come again another day.....see it works.

[Butterfly]

starting to be "heavy" here, rain should come in a few hours.

[RDN]

been pishing down in Krabi for the last 3 days.....dunno if its the same storm or not....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ditto in Phuket - I think you're getting our left-overs.

[mcfester]

well its 6pm, this storm should be hittin about now.. And its one of the nicest evenings theres been in bkk for weeks now 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The silence before the storm, normally means its going to big a big one, just like when your in the eye of the storm.

I've just spent the weekend in BKK and arrived back in Petchabun 30 minutes ago with a pickup full of Hifi gear that would have been ruined if it hit earlier, didn't know anything about it untill now.

Hope you all have fun, get yer wellingtons out

[mcfester]

been pishing down in Krabi for the last 3 days.....dunno if its the same storm or not....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Errr, have you ever seen a map of Thailand?