Thailand Live Saturday 29 Oct 2011

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Bangkok Governor warns Lat Phrao, Chatuchak, Wang Thonglang to be on alert for flood.

BANGKOK, Oct 29 -- Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra warned residents of Lat Phrao, Chatuchak and Wang Thonglang districts to be on especially high alert as water level in canals continued increasing and could possibly inundate these districts.

Sukhumbhand said the water level of the Chao Phraya River at its peak high tide of the day this morning was at 2.48 metres above mean sea level, slightly higher than Friday.

He said the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) would closely monitor the water level during the next two days, which were the high tide periods.

The water levels in major canals in Bangkok were expected to increase - Klong Song by 8 cm, Klong Lat Phrao by 10-15 cm and Klong Thawi Watthana by 11 cms - he said.

As for the Thonburi side, two districts were facing serious flooding - Bang Phlat and Thawi Watthana - and the BMA was addressing the problem by using 180 sheetpiles to fix the ruptured barrier at Klong Mahasawat to prevent water from overflowing into Klong Thawi Watthana, he said.

He said flooding in Bang Khen was stable, while Lat Phrao, Chatuchak and Wang Thonglang may have problems, so BMA has alerted residents to be braced for flood.

The governor said there were now some 10,000 flood victims sheltered at 84 centres in 22 districts. BMA has prepared for more evacuations by setting up 225 assembly points at all 50 districts and will coordinate with community leaders to move flood victims to shelters in provinces with the assistance of the military. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-10-29

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Mgr of Talat Thai is on CH 11 complaining about distorted reports. Says they have made very good progress in containing breach./via@terryfrd

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FROC hopes flood crisis could be resolved during low-tide period after NOV 6, says situation in eastern BKK is under control./TAN_Network

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Light rain detected in Jatujak and Lad Prao via @BKK_BEST at 19.05/TAN_Network

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3.5M flood barrier protects Siriraj,to be raised to 4M if water threatens to breach the barrier.4days of med supplies preparedTANN_Network

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Areas and Roads in Bangkok Affected by Floods

UPDATE : 29 October 2011

Both the Flood Relief Operations Center (FROC), Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and related agencies are working around the clock to manage the flood situation that is threatening to affect even the innermost areas of the Thai capital.

Below are the lists of flood-affected areas in Bangkok and roads that have been closed off temporarily due to the widespread floods based on the information from the Metropolitan Police and various other sources.

Please also bear in mind that road closure situation could change constantly, for more information contact the FROC's hotline for more information at 1111 ext 5.

UPDATE : 29 October 2011

Both the Flood Relief Operations Center (FROC), Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and related agencies are working around the clock to manage the flood situation that is threatening to affect even the innermost areas of the Thai capital.

Below are the lists of flood-affected areas in Bangkok and roads that have been closed off temporarily due to the widespread floods based on the information from the Metropolitan Police and various other sources.

Please also bear in mind that road closure situation could change constantly, for more information contact the FROC's hotline for more information at 1111 ext 5.

UPDATED: Oct 29, 2011 5PM

Areas that have been ordered to evacuate:

1. Don Muang

2. Sai Mai

3. Bang Plad

4. Taweewattana

Areas that are on the flood watchlist:

1. Lad Prao

2. Chatuchak

3. Wangthonglang

Partially flooded areas:

1. Meenburi

2. Klong Samwa

3. Lak Si

4. Kannayao

5. Lad Krabang

6. Taweewattana

7. Bangkok Noi

8. Taling Chan

9. Samphan Thawong

10. Phra Nakhon

11. Klongsan

12. Dusit

13. Bangkaen

Road closures:

1. Vibhavadi-Rangsit Rd (flooded up to Lak Si Intersection - outer perimeter of Bangkok): 20cm flood

2. Phaholyothin Road (inbound and outbound, flooded until Big C (Saphan Mai): 135cm flood

3. Kampang Petch 6 Rd. (from Tung Song Hong Housing Estate - outer area of Bangkok): 50cm flood

4. Songprapa (inbound and outbound, road closed from Si Saman Intersection - Don Muang Temple Intersection): 50-70cm flood

5. Wutthakat Rd. (entire route closed): 125cm flood

6. Kosum-Ruam Jai Rd. (entire route closed): 30cm flood

7. Techatungka Rd (entire route closed): 50cm

8. Wayruwanaram (Pai Kiew Temple) Rd. (entire route closed): 30cm flood

9. Chaeng Wattana Soi 14 (entire route closed)

10. Klong Song Rd. (inbound and outbound, road closed from Palatikarn Intersection - Saphan Poon Intersection)

11. Chantarubekka Rd. (inbound and outbound, closed from Kor Por Or Intersection - Chantarubekka Intersection): 85cm flood

12. Charansanitwongse Rd. (inbound and outbound, road closed from Bang Plad Intersection - Rama VII Bridge)

13. Charansanitwongse Rd. (inbound and outbound, road closed from Baromma Ratchachonnanee Intersection - Bang Khunnont Intersection): 80-150cm flood

14. Sirindhorn Rd. (inbound and outbound, road closed from Bang Plad Intersection - Siridhorn Elevated Rd.)

15. Arun Ammarin (inbound and outbound, road closed from Arun Amarin Intersection - Siriraj Hospital Intersection)

16. Baromma Ratchachonnanee Rd. (inbound and outbound, road closed from Pinklao Bridge - Sirindhorn Elevated Rd.: 80-100cm flood

17. Baromma Ratchachonnanee Parallel Rd. (inbound and outbound, road closed from Taling Chan entry and exit until Putthamonthon Soi 3's entry/exit)

18. Baromma Ratchachonnanee Rd. (inbound and outbound, road closed from Putthamonthon Sai 2 - Putthamonthon Sai 4: 80-150cm flood

19. Putthamonthon Rd. (inbound and outbound, road closed from Putthamonthon Sai 3 - Uttayan Intersection)

20. Uttayan Rd. (inbound and outbound, closed from Uttayan Intersection - Putthamonthon Sai 3 Intersection)

21. Sala Thammasop Rd. (inbound and outbound, entire route closed): 30-80cm flood

22. Prachan and Maharaj Rd.: >50cm flood

**For a map of FLOOD-HIT AREAS please visit Google's Crisis Response Map at http://crisislanding.appspot.com/?crisis=thailand_floods_en. ***

-- Tan Network 2011-10-29

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BMA proposes 'siphon' system to drain water

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Saturday urged the Flood Relief Operations Centre (FROC) to place "siphon" water-drainage tubes under or on floodwalls to release water from Sai Mai district's Hok Wa Canal to eastern Bangkok and into the sea.

If done within a week, it could help prevent the inundation of 20 districts of inner Bangkok, BMA deputy governor Theerachon Manomaipibul said in his capacity as joint committee member for water drainage with the FROC.

He said the idea was proposed to the FROC during its meeting on Friday. He said it was not the sole responsibility of the BMA but also that of the Industry Ministry and the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority who had to find materials for the BMA to build the system. So far, they haven't got the materials, he added.

-- The Nation 2011-10-28

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Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Thon Buri residents told to stock water

Residents in part of Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan and all in Bangkok's Thon Buri areas were told to stock water as the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority would supply water only from 6-9am and 5-8pm daily, Flood Relief Operations Centre spokesman said Saturday.

"The areas that the MEA would reduce water supplies include the West Nonthaburi in Mueang, Pakkred, Bang Bua Thong, Bang Yai and Bang Kruay districts. They also include Samutprakarn’s Phra Pradaeng and Bangkok’s Khlong San, Bangkok Noi, Rat Burana, Bang Khun Thian and Taling Chan," Tongthong Chandransu read the MEA announcement.

The raw water was contaminated with large amount of weeds gushing from Maha Sawat canal to the MEA factory in Thon Bburi factory. To keep water quality, the MEA then has to reduce its production from 900,000 cubic metre to 500,000 cubic metre daily, he said.

During other hours, the MEA has to spare water for prominent agencies such as hospitals, he said.

-- The Nation 2011-10-29

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279 gas petrol stations closed because of flooding

The Energy Ministry Saturday reported that the flood disaster in Bangkok and vicinity provinces has caused 279 petrol stations to close.

The ministry spokesman Pachara Naripthapan said there were 39 stations in Bangkok, 57 stations in Nonthaburi, 84 stations in Pathum Thani, 66 stations in Ayutthaya, 13 stations in Nakhon Sawan, six in Chai Nat, three in Lop Buri, four in Ang Thong, while Phichit, Samut Prakan, Sing Buri, Saraburi, Uthai Thani, Suphan Buri and Nakhon Pathom each had one station closed.

He said the oil reserve was still sufficient hence there was no need to stockpile gasoline. Besides, 86 NGV stations were closed; 19 in Bangkok, 35 im Pathum Thani, 20 in Nonthaburi, five in Samut Prakan, four in Ayuttahya, two in Chon Buri and one in Rayong.

-- The Nation 2011-10-29

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Kanchanaburi to support 20,000 flood evacuees

The western province of Kanchanaburi would support 20,000 flood evacuees, deputy provincial governor Chaiwat Limwattana said Saturday.

In his capacity of Kanchanaburi flood assistance center director, Chaiwat said that they had prepared 12 shelters, which could support a total of 20,000 evacuees. So far only 100 evacuees were there. For more information, visit http://www.kanchanaburi.go.th/ or call 034511778 and 034515208 around the clock.

-- The Nation 2011-10-29

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“@veen_NT: PM has a bad cold so she took half day off- will be back to work tomorrow. TR @jin_nation #TPBS #thaiflood (19:20)”/NationNews

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Flood Crisis Could Be Resolved After November 6

UPDATE : 29 October 2011

The Floor Relief Operations Center (FROC) says if no more flood barriers collapsed, the flood crisis in the city could be resolved after November 6. The center is also confident capital city of Thailand would not be crippled by the floods while the situation in eastern Bangkok is now under control.

Veera Wongsaengnak of the FROC says the center is hopeful that if no more flood barriers collapsed, the flooding situation in Bangkok could improve after November 6. The authorities expect to be able to quickly drain water into the seas once the low-tide period started on November 6. In that case, the FROC is confident Suvarnabhumi Airport and industrial estates will not be hit by the floods. Veera said the flooding situation in eastern Bangkok is now under control. He explained the Irrigation Department is now able to effectively match the drainage rate and the amount of water entering the eastern parts of Bangkok. He added various secondary canals can be used to manage the level of water in Hok Wa Canal without the need to cut roads to facilitate the drainage efforts.

Measures have also been put in place to manage the runoffs in the west parts of Bangkok that have flooded numerous areas including Taweewattana, Bang Bua Thong in Nonthaburi, Salaya and Putthamonton districts of Nakhon Pathom Province. The key to draining water from west Bangkok (Thonburi) is the Pasee Charoen Canal. The runoffs will be directed to the Pasee Charoen Canal and eventually drained into the Tha Cheen River and flood drainage area (Monkey Cheek) in Samut Sakhon.

During the low-tide period, the Irrigation Department and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will reinforce the flood barrier along the Chao Phraya River in Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani to prevent the northern flood runoff from spilling over the embankment.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-29

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Today trains operating as normal after Southern route been canceled yesterday ~ ThaiPBS #thaifloodeng

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AirForce to use C130 planes to distribute emergency bags,Navy prepares >1000 officers to help #ThaiFloodENG in Nonthaburi/Nakhon Pathom/TAN_Network

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For those of us in dry central BKK, Dr Seri's nightly analysis was reassuring. Not a word about us. Problem spots are to west & east/via@terryfrd

Dr Seri said situation on western side of river remains dire & to east, concern is Lat Krabang industrial estate. Fast drainage the key /via@terryfrd

Dr Seri says Suvarnabhumi is fine. Capacity there is outstanding, so you foreign tourists, keep on coming, he said./via@terryfrd

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7:04pm Ladprao District Director confirmed that water in Ladprao canal will not affect Ladprao Rd. tonight ~ @Rawangpai

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Water to be rationed west of Chao Phraya River

UPDATE : 29 October 2011

The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority has announced that it will need to lower the production output due to the ongoing flood. As a result, the water will be rationed in most of the Bangkok Greater Area west of the Chao Phraya River

The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority has announced that due to the contaminated intake water brought by the flood, the Mahasawat Water Treatment needs to lower its production output from 900,000 to 400,000 cubic meters per day. Moreover the water will only run twice a day, from 6 AM to 9 AM and from 5 PM to 8 PM. This will be in effect in an extensive area west of the Chao Phraya River, including Pak Kret, Bang Bua Thong, Bang Yai, Sai Noi, Bang Kruai and Muang districts of Nonthaburi Province, Phra Pradaeng and Phra Samut Chedi districts of Samut Prakan Province and Thonburi, Khlong San, Bangkok Noi, Bangkok Yai, Taweewattana, Bang Phlat, Nong Khaem, Phasi Charoen, Taksin, Bang Bon, Thung Khru, Chom Thong, Rat Burana, Bang Khun Thian and Taling Chan districts of Bangkok.

The MWA will try to address the problem in order to reverse to the normal service as soon as possible.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-29

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Thai PBS news team was on Klong Lat Praw today. Residents there supremely confident situation along their canal under control./via@terryfrd

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Free EM (microorganism used for polluted-water remedy) at Army Stadium 6am-7pm daily, covered-containers required~ @Voice_TV

The tourists I spoke to today said they had no problem with food or drinks & weren't worried about floods /Via@RichardBarrow

I also met some backpackers who were coming out of Pinklao by boat. They had nothing but praise for the Thai people..via@RichardBarrow

Thailand Flood was the main international news of local CNN in Washington DC, reported as the severest in 60 years ~ @nuthatai

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Flood Water Rises to As High As Neck Level

UPDATE : 29 October 2011

There are reports that the water level on Suan Puk Rd. under Suan Puk Intersection Flyover - Ratchapruek Rd. has continued to rise after flood water spills over Maha Sawas Canal. The 50cm high flood barrier proved to be ineffective against the surging flood water, flooding houses along the even-number side of Soi Suan Puk.

A large number of cars are parked on the Suan Puk Intersection Flyover - Ratchapruek Rd., preventing traffic from passing through the area to Rattanatibet Rd and Rama V Roundabout.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-29

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FROC1: Water situation along Chao Phraya better than yesterday. All agencies doing their best to drain water into Gulf of THL /TAN_Network

FROC: Efforts to siphon water from higher to lower ground (Rangsit->HOK WA->Saen Sab->Bang Pa Kong River->Gulf of THL) /TAN_Network

FROC: HQ has relocated but is still contactable via same hotline number at 1111 ext 5./TAN_Network

FROC:Tap water pto 400k,now restored to 600K CBM.roduction capacity cut from 900K CBM /TAN_Network

FROC: Locals in Lak Hok destroyed 10M-long barrier along Prapa Canal, affecting water prod'n capacity.FROC urged public to be considerate/TAN_Network

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279 gas petrol stations closed because of flooding

The Energy Ministry Saturday reported that the flood disaster in Bangkok and vicinity provinces has caused 279 petrol stations to close.

The ministry spokesman Pachara Naripthapan said there were 39 stations in Bangkok, 57 stations in Nonthaburi, 84 stations in Pathum Thani, 66 stations in Ayutthaya, 13 stations in Nakhon Sawan, six in Chai Nat, three in Lop Buri, four in Ang Thong, while Phichit, Samut Prakan, Sing Buri, Saraburi, Uthai Thani, Suphan Buri and Nakhon Pathom each had one station closed.

He said the oil reserve was still sufficient hence there was no need to stockpile gasoline. Besides, 86 NGV stations were closed; 19 in Bangkok, 35 im Pathum Thani, 20 in Nonthaburi, five in Samut Prakan, four in Ayuttahya, two in Chon Buri and one in Rayong

-- The Nation 2011-10-29

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Tapwater in Thonburi to Be Rationed

UPDATE : 29 October 2011

The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority has announced tapwater production cut of its Mahasawad plant due to poor water quality and abundance of seaweed clogging up machinery. Production is to be halved from 900,000 cubic meters per day to just 400,000 cubic meters per day. Moreover, tapwater distribution is to be available only from 6-9 A.M. and 5-8 P.M.

Areas which will be affected are Nonthaburi's Muang, the western side of Pakkred, Bangbuathong, Bangyai, Sainoi and Bangkruay districts. Samut Prakan's Phrapradaeng and the western side of Phra Samutchedi districts will be affected. Thonburi's Klongsarn, Bangkoknoi, Bangkokyai, Taweewattana, Bangplad, Nongkham, Pasicharoen, Taksin, Bangbon, Tungkru, Chomthong, Ratburana, Bangkhuntien and Talingchan districts will be affected.

The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority will announce when its normal tapwater production in these areas will be resumed

-- Tan Network 2011-10-29

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(8pm) Suan Pak in Talingchan is high risk area- water in some parts up to neck level. BMA prepares for evacuation. TR@wannasiri_/via@veen_NT

“@Tulip_Oum: FROC: TaweeWattana is 100% flooded (9:15pm)/ tunnel at Bang Plad no longer usable #ThaiFloodEng (via @Juarawee)”/via@veen_NT

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Bkk Gov: Various areas along key canals to be added to Flood Watchlist /TAN_Network

+Flood Watchlist: Communities near Klong 2, Klong Tanon, Bang Bua Thong, Lad Prao, Prem Prachakorn/TAN_Network

CORRECTION:+Flood Watchlist: Communities near Klong 2, Klong Tanon, Bang Bua, Lad Prao, Prem Prachakorn /TAN_Network

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9.28pm Dykes of Talat Thai merket already fixed and now open 24hrs as normal ~ @thaiflood #thaifloodeng

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9:33pm BKK governor, these area to be alert; Klong2,SaiMai,BangKhen,ThanonCanal,BangbuaCanal,LakSi,Chatuchak,Ladprao,Huay

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Food & drinking water needed for soldiers. Bring to the Army Stadium, Vibhavadi Rd. ☎0817070279 ~ @Oubonpun

9.54pm Small cars impassble on Lamlukka Rd. (from Ongkharak) at Klong 6-7 due to waist-deep flood ~ @fm91trafficpro #thaifloodeng

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10:01pm FROC announced Don Muang and Sai Mai 100% inundated ~ @ktnews

9:56pm Phrayasuren Soi 40 overflowed by 10cm. Sayna Villa to be alert ~ @Rawangpai

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It's heartbreaking they sacrificed outskirts of Bangkok to save the center. We should all share the flood to lower the burden/via@RichardBarrow