Blocking water not the answer, says AIT expert

THE NATION

Building concrete or sandbag barriers and using roads as embankment walls are not necessarily the right solutions because outlets are needed for water to drain away, an Asia Institute of Technology researcher said yesterday.

"The water pressure is massive and cannot simply be held back by temporary barriers and sandbag walls, which can collapse at any time, so I propose letting water flow naturally out to estuaries," Suthas Weerasakul said.

He also said the attempt to drain water from the Chao Phraya River through the Chiang Rak Noi canal was not a good idea because the canal was higher than the river.

Suthas also said the National Flood Relief Centre report that the AIT compound was not flooded was incorrect.

The Hi-Tech Industrial Estate in Ayutthaya remains inundated and water levels are expected to rise further. The latest industrial estate to be hit is Navanakorn in Pathum Thani, immediately north of Bangkok. Also facing the risk of flooding are AIT, Thammasat University's Rangsit campus and possibly Don Muang and Sai Mai districts in Bangkok, he said.

Uthen Chartphinyo, chief of a flood-drainage committee, said slums built on the banks of canals and rivers should be removed and the waterworks and electricity authorities should be punished for allowing the dwellers of these homes to use their utilities.

"How can tap water and electricity be legally provided to these slums?" he asked.

"The government must be brave enough to integrate the entire flood-management mechanism and consider dismantling these slums and relocating the occupants to National Housing Authority flats," he said, adding: "But it depends on the government to do it now or after the floods ease."

He was speaking after announcing a plan to drain water from the outskirts of eastern Bangkok via the Phra Ong Choo Chaiyanuchit, Pravet and Samrong canals in Samut Prakan.

Uthen said he would also propose building three drainage stations to keep Bang Phlu Industrial Estate in Samut Prakan dry. "This will prevent eastern Bangkok and Samut Prakan from getting flooded in the future."

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha said the dredging of a canal intended as a short cut of the Tha Chin River in Nakhon Pathom was making good progress and should be completed in time. The Song Khanong Canal along with two others would double the amount water that can be drained, he said.

-- The Nation 2011-10-18

Glad to see a realistic assessment of the flooding and how to respond to it. Hope we get to hear more from this group.

Edited October 18, 201114 yr by BuckarooBanzai

Geez... I would have been suprised if this self-appointed "expert" hadn't taken the opportunity to gain some public exposure (yes I kinda know the guy).

"Meanwhile, Defence Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha said the dredging of a canal intended as a short cut of the Tha Chin River in Nakhon Pathom was making good progress and should be completed in time. The Song Khanong Canal along with two others would double the amount water that can be drained, he said."

....should be completed in time. In time for what - lunch? Before the floods are over?

....would double the amount water that can be drained.... Double compared to the river, the canal?

Beware polly-speak !

Glad to see a realistic assessment of the flooding and how to respond to it. Hope we get to hear more from this group.

i would not count on it

Glad to see a realistic assessment of the flooding and how to respond to it. Hope we get to hear more from this group.

Building concrete or sandbag barriers and using roads as embankment walls are not necessarily the right solutions because outlets are needed for water to drain away, an Asia Institute of Technology researcher said yesterday.

"The water pressure is massive and cannot simply be held back by temporary barriers and sandbag walls, which can collapse at any time, so I propose letting water flow naturally out to estuaries," Suthas Weerasakul said.

He also said the attempt to drain water from the Chao Phraya River through the Chiang Rak Noi canal was not a good idea because the canal was higher than the river.

Suthas also said the National Flood Relief Centre report that the AIT compound was not flooded was incorrect.

The Hi-Tech Industrial Estate in Ayutthaya remains inundated and water levels are expected to rise further. The latest industrial estate to be hit is Navanakorn in Pathum Thani, immediately north of Bangkok. Also facing the risk of flooding are AIT, Thammasat University's Rangsit campus and possibly Don Muang and Sai Mai districts in Bangkok, he said.

Uthen Chartphinyo, chief of a flood-drainage committee, said slums built on the banks of canals and rivers should be removed and the waterworks and electricity authorities should be punished for allowing the dwellers of these homes to use their utilities.

"How can tap water and electricity be legally provided to these slums?" he asked.

"The government must be brave enough to integrate the entire flood-management mechanism and consider dismantling these slums and relocating the occupants to National Housing Authority flats," he said, adding: "But it depends on the government to do it now or after the floods ease."He was speaking after announcing a plan to drain water from the outskirts of eastern Bangkok via the Phra Ong Choo Chaiyanuchit, Pravet and Samrong canals in Samut Prakan.

Uthen said he would also propose building three drainage stations to keep Bang Phlu Industrial Estate in Samut Prakan dry. "This will prevent eastern Bangkok and Samut Prakan from getting flooded in the future."

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha said the dredging of a canal intended as a short cut of the Tha Chin River in Nakhon Pathom was making good progress and should be completed in time. The Song Khanong Canal along with two others would double the amount water that can be drained, he said.

This guy is obviously aware of Newtons 1st principle of motion.[/b]

Well said and he has some wits about him lets hope he has some input in the future management of Thailand

" Tha Chin River in Nakhon Pathom was making good progress and should be completed in time"

Ok well no one has bothered coming out to see the Ta Chin river then as its up to the top of the banks as it is..

Advice to Thai Govt ... go to Dutch Embassy and request the tell you about a little Dutch boy using thumb to plug hole in Dike. For Gratoys that is hole in Dike , not Dyke ...

" Tha Chin River in Nakhon Pathom was making good progress and should be completed in time"

Ok well no one has bothered coming out to see the Ta Chin river then as its up to the top of the banks as it is..

Being up to the top of it's banks doesn't mean it can't drain more water. Dredging a canal intended as a shortcut for the Tha Chin River in Nakhon Pathom will increase the volume of water allowed to flow from the river to the sea. More water upstream can then flow at a faster flowrate without increasing the height of the river. So this shortcut should actually help drain more water faster without causing more flooding along the Tha Chin River itself.

Advice to Thai Govt ... go to Dutch Embassy and request the tell you about a little Dutch boy using thumb to plug hole in Dike. For Gratoys that is hole in Dike , not Dyke ...

dike and dyke = both correct spelling :jap:

Advice to Thai Govt ... go to Dutch Embassy and request the tell you about a little Dutch boy using thumb to plug hole in Dike. For Gratoys that is hole in Dike , not Dyke ...

dike and dyke = both correct spelling :jap:

where did the little Dutch girl stick her thumb then?

"Blocking Water is Not the Answer" .... ???

Well it seems to be working for Khun Banharn's constituency in ... Suphanburi?