Chao Phraya River Hits Record Level Of 2.53m

[webfact]

Chao Phraya hits record level of 2.53m

The Nation

Leaks in barriers spur flooding in Sukhumvit 50 and two Samsen sois

The Chimplee, Taling Chan and Bang Lamat subdistricts of Taling Chan were declared "surveillance areas" yesterday after the Chao Phraya River reached a record high of 2.53 metres and some parts of the floodwall leaked.

"Evacuations may be ordered," Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said.

The permanent embankment stretching along most of the Chao Phraya in the capital stands just 2.5 metres high. The overflow reached Samsen Sois 21 and 23 and many more zones.

Besides the spillover from the swollen river, the capital has also been swamped by runoff from upstream provinces in several districts, including Sai Mai and Thawee Watthana.

On Saturday night, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) told Bangkok residents along the Lat Phrao, Bang Khen, Thanon, Bang Bua and Prem Prachakorn canals in Don Muang district to prepare to move to evacuation centres.

Already 10,343 flood victims are staying at BMA-run evacuation centres. Recently 10 were closed because floodwaters rose to a dangerous level. These 10 centres are schools in Thawee Watthana, Sai Mai, Khlong Sam Wa and Don Muang districts.

Sukhumbhand said almost all of Don Muang was now submerged.

"We're trying to solve the problem," he said.

The main problem was that there was nothing to block the water flowing down Paholyothin Road from the Rangsit Prayoonsak Canal.

"The BMA has already informed the Flood Relief Operations Centre about this many times," Sukhumbhand said in a thinly veiled attack on the body established by the central government.

Weera Wongsaengnak, chief of Water Management in the Disaster Zone, still saw a light at the end of the tunnel.

The inner city would remain under a serious threat of flooding only for three more days.

"The high tides peaked today and will continue to drop. If we can control the situation till Tuesday, Bangkok will be saved. After that, we just need to prevent the embankment and dykes from crumbling down," he said.

"There is no longer any big bulge of water. There is only the water that has already arrived. The water that has caused Thammasat and Rangsit to be flooded comes from the Prem Prachakorn Canal overflowing to the Chulalongkorn sluice gate. When there is sea intrusion, the water rises but only for three hours,'' he said.

The water on Asia Road and in Canals 1 and 9 was no longer rising.

However, authorities could assess the flood situation in Bangkok only after tomorrow.

The floodwaters in Don Muang and Sai Mai would be drained out on Friday or the following Tuesday when the tide would be at its lowest. The tide will peak again from November 12-13 but then there will be no monstrous mass of water meandering down from the north, he added.

Still, it remains to be seen how long the floodwall can stave off the massive runoff. Cracks have been reported almost daily.

The latest appeared on some spots of the embankment along the Phra Khanong Canal, flooding Phra Khanong district.

"We are trying to fix it," said Wiparat Chaiyanukij, director of the Khlong Toei District Office.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra called a meeting of agencies and ministers to discuss changes to the flood rehabilitation plan.

Yingluck posted a message on Facebook saying Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao phoned her to express his condolences to the Thai people and his confidence that the Thai government can overcome the disaster and enact a speedy rehabilitation.

-- The Nation 2011-10-31

[ARGUSEYE]

One fact has been overlooked and never pointed out:

At spring tide periods (now) the daily HIGH tides are higher than normal, but the daily LOW tides are also LOWER!

At neap tide periods (next week) the daily HIGH tides are lower, but the LOW tides are Higher!

It always evens out, the actual run - off per day might not differ all that much. A very important fact.

This also applies to the seasonal high waters... Although it's not much use now, the yearly low tides of April are 6 months away.

[connda]

Thailand! Send your civil engineers over to the Netherlands. They had this problem figured out over a thousand years ago. You could learn about and use that technology they developed over the years -- or -- just raise your dikes and add some windmills: you'd be better off than you are now.

Oh wait a minute -- I forgot -- everything would have to be constructed with built-in obsolescence so that the structures fail during the first major floods and have to be rebuilt with kick-backs to the PMs and bureaucrats who set up the initial contracts.

Never mind.....

[TPI]

Thailand! Send your civil engineers over to the Netherlands. They had this problem figured out over a thousand years ago. You could learn about and use that technology they developed over the years -- or -- just raise your dikes and add some windmills: you'd be better off than you are now.

Oh wait a minute -- I forgot -- everything would have to be constructed with built-in obsolescence so that the structures fail during the first major floods and have to be rebuilt with kick-backs to the PMs and bureaucrats who set up the initial contracts.

Never mind.....

That's very cruel! Anyone would think that you don't have a high opinion of Thai politicians or beaurocrats??

Edited October 31, 2011 by Maestro
Fixed quote tags.

[techboy]

Thailand! Send your civil engineers over to the Netherlands. They had this problem figured out over a thousand years ago. You could learn about and use that technology they developed over the years -- or -- just raise your dikes and add some windmills: you'd be better off than you are now.

Oh wait a minute -- I forgot -- everything would have to be constructed with built-in obsolescence so that the structures fail during the first major floods and have to be rebuilt with kick-backs to the PMs and bureaucrats who set up the initial contracts.

Never mind.....

1. Netherlands is a unique situation in which 2/3s of the country would be flooded without dykes. It is not a seasonal "maybe" for areas along a river. If you will revisit the title of the editor's post you will note that these extreme conditions are unequaled. It is amazing how many civil engineers have emerged from the expat community during this crisis.

2. Your comment about the built in obsolescence and kick-backs: Unfortunately civil projects in every country are vulnerable to this problem. Making this out of hand assumption sounds like idle chatter by someone who's highest contribution to society would be calling in bogus tips to scandalous tabloids. :jerk:

[wandrinstar]

Enjoy the Flood Debate for now, in March we can debate Drought in North East. We may get a few Peasants Freezing on Top of Mountain Headlines in between. All saved by Beer Chang Blankets, and Mam Mam Noodles. Nothing changes here..

[Tanaka]

Thailand! Send your civil engineers over to the Netherlands. They had this problem figured out over a thousand years ago. You could learn about and use that technology they developed over the years -- or -- just raise your dikes and add some windmills: you'd be better off than you are now.

Oh wait a minute -- I forgot -- everything would have to be constructed with built-in obsolescence so that the structures fail during the first major floods and have to be rebuilt with kick-backs to the PMs and bureaucrats who set up the initial contracts.

Never mind.....

1. Netherlands is a unique situation in which 2/3s of the country would be flooded without dykes. It is not a seasonal "maybe" for areas along a river. If you will revisit the title of the editor's post you will note that these extreme conditions are unequaled. It is amazing how many civil engineers have emerged from the expat community during this crisis.

2. Your comment about the built in obsolescence and kick-backs: Unfortunately civil projects in every country are vulnerable to this problem. Making this out of hand assumption sounds like idle chatter by someone who's highest contribution to society would be calling in bogus tips to scandalous tabloids. :jerk:

Thailand does not have any civil engineers to speak of. And even if there were any to send to the Netherlands, they would not learn anything because they would know everything already.

As for your comment on corruption problems in other country. It is not quite the same. Most other countries do not have corruption least of all at the level Thailand has.

[dancw3]

As you don't have kick backs etc in the Netherlands and every other country?. Don't you have anything better to do than complain. Unfortunately this site seems to be loaded with chronic malcontents to put it politely. Get a life!

[Markaew]

Thailand! Send your civil engineers over to the Netherlands. They had this problem figured out over a thousand years ago. You could learn about and use that technology they developed over the years -- or -- just raise your dikes and add some windmills: you'd be better off than you are now.

Oh wait a minute -- I forgot -- everything would have to be constructed with built-in obsolescence so that the structures fail during the first major floods and have to be rebuilt with kick-backs to the PMs and bureaucrats who set up the initial contracts.

Never mind.....

1. Netherlands is a unique situation in which 2/3s of the country would be flooded without dykes. It is not a seasonal "maybe" for areas along a river. If you will revisit the title of the editor's post you will note that these extreme conditions are unequaled. It is amazing how many civil engineers have emerged from the expat community during this crisis.

2. Your comment about the built in obsolescence and kick-backs: Unfortunately civil projects in every country are vulnerable to this problem. Making this out of hand assumption sounds like idle chatter by someone who's highest contribution to society would be calling in bogus tips to scandalous tabloids. :jerk:

techboy, I'm guessing you don't live in Thailand.

[Markaew]

What is the timetable of an approximate completion of this runoff. Anybody hear anything?

[rogerdee123]

What is the timetable of an approximate completion of this runoff. Anybody hear anything?

We've heard too many different things.

It depends upon which "leader" you listen to.

[merlen10002]

As you don't have kick backs etc in the Netherlands and every other country?. Don't you have anything better to do than complain. Unfortunately this site seems to be loaded with chronic malcontents to put it politely. Get a life!

I agree, the amount of Thai phobia on this site is incredible and a lot of it is absolute nonsense !

[ratcatcher]

What is the timetable of an approximate completion of this runoff. Anybody hear anything?

We've heard too many different things.

It depends upon which "leader" you listen to.

It should all end about here.

Edited October 31, 2011 by ratcatcher

[NanLaew]

Thailand! Send your civil engineers over to the Netherlands. They had this problem figured out over a thousand years ago. You could learn about and use that technology they developed over the years -- or -- just raise your dikes and add some windmills: you'd be better off than you are now.

Oh wait a minute -- I forgot -- everything would have to be constructed with built-in obsolescence so that the structures fail during the first major floods and have to be rebuilt with kick-backs to the PMs and bureaucrats who set up the initial contracts.

Never mind.....

1. Netherlands is a unique situation in which 2/3s of the country would be flooded without dykes. It is not a seasonal "maybe" for areas along a river. If you will revisit the title of the editor's post you will note that these extreme conditions are unequaled. It is amazing how many civil engineers have emerged from the expat community during this crisis.

2. Your comment about the built in obsolescence and kick-backs: Unfortunately civil projects in every country are vulnerable to this problem. Making this out of hand assumption sounds like idle chatter by someone who's highest contribution to society would be calling in bogus tips to scandalous tabloids. :jerk:

techboy, I'm guessing you don't live in Thailand.

Which, in light of the current state of play in Thailand and like myself, may be the really smart option.

Keep dry and don't moan too much about YOUR chosen home and YOUR chosen hosts.

[TinoThailand]

Thailand! Send your civil engineers over to the Netherlands. They had this problem figured out over a thousand years ago. You could learn about and use that technology they developed over the years -- or -- just raise your dikes and add some windmills: you'd be better off than you are now.

Oh wait a minute -- I forgot -- everything would have to be constructed with built-in obsolescence so that the structures fail during the first major floods and have to be rebuilt with kick-backs to the PMs and bureaucrats who set up the initial contracts.

Never mind.....

[marquess]

Well I hope that after today the water will stop rising in Northern Bangkok!

[merijn]

Please leave my beloved home country out of the sarcasm game. :jap:

[scrabbleking]

Run off per day is not the issue, the highest tides (appox 6:30- 8 AM the last few days) cause the water coming down river to slow down and build up on top of the water backed up by the highest of the high tides. Low tides don't cause the water flow over the embankments.

One fact has been overlooked and never pointed out:

At spring tide periods (now) the daily HIGH tides are higher than normal, but the daily LOW tides are also LOWER!

At neap tide periods (next week) the daily HIGH tides are lower, but the LOW tides are Higher!

It always evens out, the actual run - off per day might not differ all that much. A very important fact.

This also applies to the seasonal high waters... Although it's not much use now, the yearly low tides of April are 6 months away.

[animatic]

As you don't have kick backs etc in the Netherlands and every other country?. Don't you have anything better to do than complain. Unfortunately this site seems to be loaded with chronic malcontents to put it politely. Get a life!

I agree, the amount of Thai phobia on this site is incredible and a lot of it is absolute nonsense !

Playing Tag Team?

Amongst the gibberish is usually lots of good info, if you choose to look more than superficially or with a jaundiced eye towards making it all seem irrelevant..

Edited October 31, 2011 by animatic

[Gweiloman]

"The BMA has already informed the Flood Relief Operations Centre about this many times," Sukhumbhand said in a thinly veiled attack on the body established by the central government.

Guess he has never heard the term, "United we stand, divided we fall (in this case, sink)"

It's hard for governments (and even harder for incompetent ones) to do the right thing when facing opposition every step of the way. Shame.

[RichardSmith99999]

Hope the cracks hold

[TAWP]

"The BMA has already informed the Flood Relief Operations Centre about this many times," Sukhumbhand said in a thinly veiled attack on the body established by the central government.

Guess he has never heard the term, "United we stand, divided we fall (in this case, sink)"

It's hard for governments (and even harder for incompetent ones) to do the right thing when facing opposition every step of the way. Shame.

You mean how the FROC seem to work against or disregard what BMA advices?

[AngelofDeath]

Since the biggest threat is supposedly over, may I know what will the next big threat regarding this flood be?

[rogerdee123]

Since the biggest threat is supposedly over, may I know what will the next big threat regarding this flood be?

It's not over.

Now go and try to think of something else irritating to post.

[NanLaew]

You mean how the FROC seem to work against or disregard what BMA advices?

You mean the BMA expert advice?

BMA... let's see.... Bangkok Metropolitan Authority. Yes, I think that they are totally impartial to the idea of flooding their homes and businesses and share any discomfort or inconvenience for the benefit of the nation. I really, really do.

BTW, where on earth are all the Department of Disaster Prevention & Mitigation wonks?

[luckyman]

Thailand! Send your civil engineers over to the Netherlands. They had this problem figured out over a thousand years ago. You could learn about and use that technology they developed over the years -- or -- just raise your dikes and add some windmills: you'd be better off than you are now.

Oh wait a minute -- I forgot -- everything would have to be constructed with built-in obsolescence so that the structures fail during the first major floods and have to be rebuilt with kick-backs to the PMs and bureaucrats who set up the initial contracts.

Never mind.....

[NanLaew]

"The BMA has already informed the Flood Relief Operations Centre about this many times," Sukhumbhand said in a thinly veiled attack on the body established by the central government.

Guess he has never heard the term, "United we stand, divided we fall (in this case, sink)"

It's hard for governments (and even harder for incompetent ones) to do the right thing when facing opposition every step of the way. Shame.

You mean how the FROC seem to work against or disregard what BMA advices?

To be honest, the way that the Department of Disaster Mitigation & Prevention is set up, there's Provincial committee's that are headed up by the governors of the affected provinces. Bangkok has it's own headed by the BMA governor. Now, the floods have been affecting the provinces for months and I would assume that they have been doing whatever they can under the strictures of the Disaster Prevention & Mitigation Act 2007 to resolve the provincial problems with the Interior Ministry. Now, we have the water pooling on the north side of Bangkok primarily because Bangkok's flood mitigation is based solely on the premise of keeping all waters out regardless of the impact on areas outside their jurisdiction. Basically, Bangkok is sitting on the blocked plughole and doesn't want to call (or pay for) the plumber.

Looking at the DDMP's structure as posted on the internet, there doesn't seem to be any suggestion where provincial authorities need to cooperate and work together to resolve any mutually pressing issues. This is to be expected in a 'mai pen rai' society that doesn't have any grasp on the concept of being a good neighbour.

So, in order to bypass this inter-jurisdictional conflict of interest where provincial committee's are prevented from telling other provincial (or metropolitan) committee's what to do, they invented FROC as some sort of mediating interlocutor between the flooded provincial authorities and the hell-bent on keeping dry metropolitan authorities.

They are on a hiding for nothing IMHO. The fact that Bangkok will probably avoid any serious flooding this year means that it will all be shifted onto the back-burner for another year. In the interim, it will be politicized up the ying-yang and will be the basis for many more meaningless promises from the incumbent government AND the opposition.

[erobando]

To be honest, the way that the Department of Disaster Mitigation & Prevention is set up, there's Provincial committee's that are headed up by the governors of the affected provinces. Bangkok has it's own headed by the BMA governor. Now, the floods have been affecting the provinces for months and I would assume that they have been doing whatever they can under the strictures of the Disaster Prevention & Mitigation Act 2007 to resolve the provincial problems with the Interior Ministry. Now, we have the water pooling on the north side of Bangkok primarily because Bangkok's flood mitigation is based solely on the premise of keeping all waters out regardless of the impact on areas outside their jurisdiction. Basically, Bangkok is sitting on the blocked plughole and doesn't want to call (or pay for) the plumber.

They are on a hiding for nothing IMHO. The fact that Bangkok will probably avoid any serious flooding this year means that it will all be shifted onto the back-burner for another year. In the interim, it will be politicized up the ying-yang and will be the basis for many more meaningless promises from the incumbent government AND the opposition.

Neither of the bolded statements are true.

[NanLaew]

Neither of the bolded statements are true.

Pourquoi mon vieux?

The flood water from the north can't drain NATURALLY to the sea which is south of Bangkok. Or did I miss something?

Admittedly the floods are not over yet, but so far the city's batting average against all the worst forecasts and prognosis since the middle of the month is pretty impressive. Or did I miss something else?

[DP25]

Since the biggest threat is supposedly over, may I know what will the next big threat regarding this flood be?

The water slowly creeping down from the north. Don Muang is inundated and it's moving south.