UN Blames Thai Govt for Poor Flood Management

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Broken equipment delays drainage effort at Prapa Canal.Waiting for more pumps to drain water into Bangsue & Chao Phraya River /TAN_Network

US hands over 15 million THB to Thai floods

BANGKOK, 20 October 2011 (NNT) – The public relations unit of the Flood Relief Operations Center (FROC) was informed by the Embassy of the United States of America that the United States Government provided an additional 15 million THB in humanitarian assistance to support flood relief efforts in Thailand.

The funding, provided through the International Organization for Migration (IOM), will allow Thailand's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation to obtain items such as water pumps, generators, water purification units, boats, motors and lifevests, thereby increasing the Thai government's capacity deliver emergency relief supplies. The US has already given 3 million THB to the Thai Red Cross Society for emergency flood response activities.

At present, the US disaster response specialists and embassy personnel are closely monitoring the impact of the floods and assessing requirements for additional assistance, in close coordination with the Thai government and international humanitarian relief agencies. At the same time, the USAID has been working extensively with Thailand's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation on Incident Command Systems and other disaster related training.

-- NNT 2011-10-20

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Flood-hit Ayutthaya to take 1 month to return to normal: Governor

AYUTTHAYA, Oct 20 – The flooded central province of Ayutthaya on Thursday was expected to get back to normal in one month, according to Ayutthaya Governor Witthaya Pewpong, while the overall water situation in most parts of the province is stabilising.

Mr Witthaya explained that although a huge amount of floodwater had already passed through the province, another bulk flow of floodwater from Nakhon Sawan and Lop Buri was forecast to flow through the province until Sunday.

As a result, the floodwaters currently have become stable. Then, the water will gradually recede to its normal condition in about one month.

However, the overall situation in Tha Ruea and Phachi districts has begun returning to normal.

Meanwhile, the provincial irrigation office said that 350 million cubic metres of floodwaters still clog farmlands in three districts-- Wang Noi, Uthai and Bang Pa-in.

In addition, this massive stream was forecast to flow into Bangkok’s northern and eastern zones. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-10-20

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Power Grid Unaffected by Floods

The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand has confirmed that the country's power grid is secure, despite a number of power plants that have been damaged, adding that all of its hydroelectric dams are in good condition.

Governor of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, Sutat Patamasiriwat, traveled to the Bang Pa-in 1 and Bang Pa-in 2 power substations in Ayutthaya which were damaged in the ongoing flood disaster and had to be shut down.

Sutat has reported that currently five power plants are deluged and the Bang Pakong Power Plant has been assigned to make up for their electrical output to ensure that demand for electricity is met.

Meanwhile, since many industrial complexes are no longer operating, the demand for electricity has dropped by more than 1,000 megawatts.

He expected that compared to last year, the country's power consumption will fall by one percent this year.

Meanwhile, those who live around the Bang Pa-in Power Plant are demanding assistance from the government as they have been been stranded for quite some time.

Some families are only able to reach the outside world by boat.

The EGAT governor has affirmed that all of the hydroelectric dams under the agency's control, such as the Bhumibol, Sirikit, Ubonrat and Lam Takhong dams, are in good condition.

He also asked that people not be too concerned despite the high water levels in many reservoirs.

Sutat added that during the next two days the Bhumibol and Sirikit dams, together, will continue to release 70 million cubic meters of water.

He expected all of the floodwater to drain into the sea in a month.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-20

MEA governor: tap water remains safe

The Nation

Metropolitan Waterworks Authority Governor Charoen Passara assured the public that the tap water provided by his agency remained safe.

"Its quality is still in line with the drinking-water standards prescribed by the World Health Organisation," he said.

He also said the higher water level had not yet affected people living along the canal.

So far, Charoen expressed concerns about the barrier between Rangsitprayoonsak Canal and the waterworks canal.

"We have to control the water level there," he said.

-- The Nation 2011-10-20

BMA reaffirms it won't use firecrackers as warning for public to evac,district offices will be responsible for announcement. /TAN_Network

Watergate to be opened to drain runoff : PM

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TELL IT AS IT IS

Stop the stopgap measures; the Peter principle dictates it: Thai opinion

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AFP: Exodus in flooded areas as waters near Bangkok

Weather in Bangkok:

It is raining heavily on the Eastern part of Bangkok

Weather forecast for Bangkok: http://weather.thaivisa.com/bangkok/bangkok/

Flooding Situation in Bangkok: Update 20 October 2011 (20/10/2011)

Flood prevention system of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has been very properly managed and functioning with no occurrence of any major problems, according to Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra.

The Governor said that apart from installing additional water pumps for 24-hour operation, he had instructed BMA to increase the height of the water barrier to 2.80 meter above the Mean Sea Level along the boundary of the Siriraj Hospital to prevent the overflowing of the Chao Phraya River . In case of necessity, the height of the barrier could be raised at all time.

MR Sukhumbhand said that now flood situation in Bangkok remains stable due to the lessening impacts from seasonal rains. However, the City needs to be prepared to embrace another high tide at the end of October to the beginning of November and to remain vigilance on the volume of flood to be passing on from the northern parts of Bangkok.

He said that the City of Bangkok had open all water gates, in particular, at the level of 1.00 meter and 0.80 meter at Khlong Song Sluice Gate and Khlong Maha Sawat Sluice Gate respectively, to permit the free flow of flood. The flood from Nava Nakorn Industrial Estate is diverted through the Khlong Song Sluice Gate whereas the flood from Nonthaburi Province and the western areas of Bangkok is diverted through Khlong Maha Sawat Sluice Gate.

Meanwhile, BMA had delivered 27 flat-bottomed boats to the Center of Relief Operation in Minburi District in order to facilitate the relief operation for the affected districts of Sai Mai, Nong Chok, Min Buri, Khlong Sam Wa, and Lat Krabang.

-- thailand.prd.go.th 2011-10-20

WORLD

BREAKING: Reports Moammar Gadhafi wounded and captured, shot in both legs in Sirte #CNN

Bangkok flooding: Nonthaburi Gov says Bang Bua Thong district is completed inundated and so far 10,000 ppl evacuated. #ThaifloodEng

Bang Bua Thong residents who need assistance should call 02-2411709, 1131 and 1111 Ext 5

BREAKING NEWS:

Report: Gaddafi killed in Sirte

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Dyke to prevent water frm Chaingrak canal has breached,water flowing to areas near Bangkadi Industl Park instagr.am/p/QybQc/ TR @Neaw_NBC/@ASEAN_NEWSROOM

RT @ASEAN_NEWSROOM: BKk govnr ordered 6 evacuation centers set up in Don Muang and 5 in Lak SI TR : @tanatpong_nna #thaifloodeng/@tulsathit

Laksi & Don Muang Districts now on Flood Watch list. Residents advised to move belongings to 2nd flr (TAN)/@RicharBarrow

Reports indicate that Chiang Rak levee has broken down in 2 points 10 meters long; water entering Bang Ka Dee Industrial Park @news1005fm

Added in BMA's close watch list - Tung song Hong-Lak Si and Tung Sikan-Don Muang. via @tulsathit @tukky_nt

ICT Minister: FROC, BMA agree to drain water through BKK, via Prawes and Sansab canals via @news1005fm/TAN_Network

Rescue effort in Bang Buathong

The Nation

Electricity is now cut off in Bang Buathong, Nonthaburi, which would add a difficulty on the rescue effort, according to the Royal Thai Navy.

At the press conference, the Navy urged residents in the flood-hit area to give any signal to the rescuers - through a candlelight or flashlight - when hearing the boat engine.

Flood Relief Operations Centre also announced additional emergency phone numbers: 1131, 02-241-1749, 02-504-3569 and 02-534-1911.

-- The Nation 2011-10-20

Water leaked into Bangkadi Industrial Park, authorities are trying to manage the situation : Toshiba chairperson in Bangkadi/ @ASEAN_NEWSROOM

RT @Biz_TheNation: FROC: additional emergency phone numbers: 1131, 02-241-1749, 02-504-3569 and 02-534-1911/#ThaifloodEng/@nationnews

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Thailand Live Friday 21 Oct 2011

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