Bangkok warned to brace for floods as water advances on city

[News_Editor]

Bangkok warned to brace for floods as water advances on city

2011-10-28 06:23:04 GMT+7 (ICT)

BANGKOK (BNO NEWS) -- The Thai government on Thursday warned residents of Bangkok to brace for overflowing from nearby rivers as the water level is expected to rise over the next two days, the Bangkok Post reported.

Thongthong Chandrangsu, a spokesman for the government's Flood Relief Operations Center (Froc), warned people living along both sides of the Chao Phraya river near Bangkok that the river might overflow and flood nearby houses. Residents were advised to move their belongings to higher places, he said.



Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said he does not expect that all districts of the capital will be flooded. "As the person in charge of Bangkok, I believe that the water will not flood every district of Bangkok and some districts might not be inundated," he said.

Royal Irrigation Department former chief Thira Wongsaengnak said all agencies involved agreed that the floodwater should be drained into the sea through various canals east of Bangkok. He added that in Bangkok, the floodwater has flowed over several main highways.

Governor Sukhumbhand said the water level in Khlong Song had risen by 16 centimeters (6.29 inches) to 2.64 meters (8.6 feet) and in Khlong Tawee Wattana district by 20 centimeters (7.87 inches) to 2.38 meters (7.8 feet), according to the Bangkok Post.

This indicated that a large amount of northern run-off is flowing through the area into the Chao Phraya River. For their own safety, people in the Sai Mai area were advised to evacuate as soon as possible, the governor said.

A total of 7,503 people have sought refuge at temporary evacuation centers. According to officials, flooding still prevails in 26 provinces of the country and the nationwide death toll stands at at least 373.

In April and May, Thailand was also hit by flooding in the country's southern region, causing billions in damages to their fishing industry, industrial sector, tourism, and business and trade, among other areas.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-10-28

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