Red Alert In Ayutthaya: Thailand Flood Crisis

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FLOOD CRISIS

Red alert in Ayutthaya

The Nation

Historic sites under water as Chao Phraya River breaches section of dyke

Six Ayutthaya districts were poised for emergency evacuation yesterday as flash floods were predicted for the evening hours in low-lying areas and along the Chao Phraya River.

However, Ayutthaya Governor Witthaya Phewphong downplayed the anticipated flooding, saying those whose homes were washed out could move to shelters already prepared for them, while large-scale evacuations were not carried out, as cited in news reports and widely tweeted.

He said flood barriers along several sections of the Lop Buri, Pa Sak and Chao Phraya rivers were now 6.7 metres high, while a section near the temple now stood at 5.3 metres - one metre above the current level.

Historic sites, including the famous Chai Watthanaram Temple and an archaeological dig of a Portuguese community dating back to the Ayutthaya period, have been flooded and the stagnant waters are threatening its structure and foundations, the Fine Arts Department said.

A section of the floodwall collapsed, letting in a stream of water from the Chao Phraya to swamp the temple and 1,700 homes, leaving them under two metres of water.

Power was cut to many areas in Ayutthaya to minimise electric shocks, throwing them into darkness after dusk fell. Resumption of electricity was pending further notice.

The weather bureau repeated a warning of heavy downpours and flash floods as Tropical Storm Nalgae lands in Thailand tomorrow and on Friday in six provinces - Tak, Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet, Nakhon Sawan, Ranong and Phang Nga.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra set up five committees overseeing flood management in areas located in five major river basins. The panels' initial task is to coordinate the operation of sluice gates to prevent conflicts between residents suffering from and those saved from flooding.

She said she was confident that the flood waters would recede within a month, before she assigned Cabinet members responsible for flood and water management to submit their post-flood assistance or project proposals.

News alerts and situation updates are broadcast on state-run radio and television channels every 30 minutes.

One panel is assigned for flood prevention in Greater Bangkok while the rest are responsible for provinces adjacent or close to the Ping, Wang, Yom and Nan rivers, all tributaries of the Chao Phraya and Pasak rivers. Each panel is headed by a PM's Office Ministry inspector-general.

Science Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi proposed a measure to reduce water levels in the lower Chao Phraya, calling on owners of large vessels to simultaneously sweep the water out of estuaries to allow the river to accommodate more run-offs from flooded areas. The government would subsidise fuel for the ships taking part, he said.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration insisted again that barriers protecting low-lying areas along the Chao Phraya could contain the currents as long as the river did not reach 2.5 metres. A 300-year-old temple in Pathum Thani is now submerged and salvage work is underway.

The daily flood damage report listed 224 people as drowned, 25 provinces as submerged and 168 main and smaller roads in 20 provinces as impassable.

-- The Nation 2011-10-05

related

Historic Ayutthaya Temple Inundated; Villagers Evacuted

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Ayutthaya Suffering Severe Flooding

The flood situation in Ayutthaya Province remains critical as run-offs from Chao Phraya, Pasak and Lopburi rivers have inundated World Heritage Site Wat Chaiwattanaram, and are threatening its economic zone.

Yesterday, strong currents of the Chao Phraya River eroded and destroyed the flood embankment in the southwestern end of Wat Chaiwattanaram, allowing floodwater to submerge the World Heritage Site.

The community near the temple is also submerged under more than two meters of floodwater.

The authorities are now rushing to find a way to salvage the ancient World Heritage site.

Ayutthaya Governor Wittaya Piewpong said a new flood barrier will be built along Bann Pom-Klong Takien Road.

The authorities will use a water pump to drain the water from the temple.

However, the Ayutthaya governor said priority will be given to help local residents who live behind the Chaiwattanaram Temple.

They have been caught unaware by flash floods and are now in the process of relocating their belongings to higher ground.

Meanwhile, run-offs from Chao Phraya, Noi, Lopburi, and Pasak rivers and minor tributaries in Lopburi Province, flowing through Ban Prak District, continue to wreak havoc in various provinces.

The provincial governor reiterated that the flood situation in Ayutthaya Province is woeful.

He instructed officials to hurry to prevent further flooding, especially in the economic zone.

As of now, the flood management center has been set up at the provincial sports stadium.

The province is rushing to build a temporary embankment.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-05

[Arkady]

Perhaps Plodprasop will have the animals that survived his stewardship of the Chiang Mai night safari summarily executed to provide relief to the flood victims in the form of tasty tiger and giraffe steaks.

[VictorOne]

Maybe if they put as much thought and effort into prevent the flooding (employing robust water management strategies) than crying about a few decrepit ruins the place would be better for it.

They could run a fleet of D9's through them and they wouldn't be missed 'particularly when they have so many more of these ruins'

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FLOOD CRISIS

46 factories in Ayutthaya inundated

The Nation

Damages estimated at more than Bt100 billion

A flood levee of an industrial zone in Ayutthaya collapsed late Tuesday night, causing the water to pour in and inundate 46 factories, Public Health Minister Witthaya Buranasiri said Wednesday.

Witthaya, who is in charge of alleviating the suffering of flood victims in Ayutthaya, said the floodwater rushed into the Saharat Nakhon industrial zone so fast that the factories could not relocate their machines and goods in time.

The factories are of medium and large size and mostly make electronic parts. Witthaya said preliminarily estimates of damages to the 46 factories totalled at least Bt100 billion.

The industrial zone is located in Tambon Bang Phrakhru in Nakhon Luang district.

Witthaya said the floodwaters also overcame levees in other areas, including those in Ayothaya district and Mueang district, to inundate several areas.

The water in certain areas was now as high as two to three metres, Witthaya said.

The inundated areas include King Rama 9 Park, Rice Research Centre, and the Economic Zone on Rojana Road in Tambon Phailing.

All in all, 16 districts in the provinces have been hit by flooding, 14 of them severely.

The flood situation in provinces downstream from Tak worsened after two emergency sluice gates of the Bhumibhol Dam were opened at midnight Tuesday, releasing a massive amount of water downstream.

Officials said the water, which gushed out of the two gates, inundated Tak's downtown at 9am and reached downstream provinces in the afternoon.

Officials said the water from Tak would reach Nakhon Sawan Thursday night.

In a related development, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Plodprasop Suraswadee Wednesday urged owners of boats to help push flood waters out to sea.

He said the boat owners could claim for petrol subsidies from the government for the operation.

-- The Nation 2011-10-05

[khaowong1]

"They have been caught unaware by flash floods and are now in the process of relocating their belongings to higher ground."

This is totally ridiculous statement. How could they not know that rain and flooding was on the way.

Every year it's the same thing.

[Dag]

46 factories divided by 100 billion...nice little earn there.