PM insists flood test necessary for Bangkok

BANGKOK, Aug 31 - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Thursday assured Bankok residents of a flood-free capital during the planned three consecutive days of drainage tests early next month.

She was apparently referring to a warning by Deputy Bangkok Governor Teerachon Manomaipibul who said the test, scheduled for Sept 5-7, will coincide with the monthly high tide.

Science and Technology Minister Plodprasop said on Wednesday that the authorities will test flood release and drainage efficiency in order to effectively deal with high water in the rainy season.

Ms Yingluck said the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the Irrigation Department, and the national Water and Flood Management Committee (WFMC) shared the responsibilities in the test.

“We have worked closely with the BMA through the Bangkok Drainage Office, particularly the release of water to the eastern and western parts of the capital,” said the premier.

Bangkok as a municipality, the BMA, is politically controlled by the opposition Democrat Party, and not all the dealings between the national government and City Hall are smooth.

The prime minister affirmed that the special task force WFMC will closely monitor the water flow during the test and residents living near canals should not worry about the water influx.

“We will do it carefully. If we don’t test the system, we won’t know the capabilities of the canals and drainage systems when it rains,” she said. “Be assured that everything will be all right. We work as a team.”

Critics from several quarters, including a senior flood protection official, have called on the government to replace the inexperienced Plodprasop as chairman of the Water and Flood Management Committee.

Ms Yingluck pleaded for Mr Plodprasop’s case, to give him the opportunity to carry out the job, saying he was not the only person in charge of flood prevention and that everyone has been working together on the mission.

A government-organised exhibition on water tomorrow through Sunday is intended to clarify the situation and pacify the public of the flood situation. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-08-31

In the other paper it mentions that the test may use propeller to increase its speed during the test.

I don't know which is worse. That plodaplop believes its correct or that no one has told him yet.

The prime minister affirmed that the special task force WFMC will closely monitor the water flow during the test and residents living near canals should not worry about the water influx.

“We will do it carefully. If we don’t test the system, we won’t know the capabilities of the canals and drainage systems when it rains,” she said. “Be assured that everything will be all right. We work as a team.”

No need to worry!!! The special task force AND Plodprasop are on the case.

The flotilla of boats will be pushing the test water down the canals and rivers, making it even more sure there will be no problems.

"“We will do it carefully. If we don’t test the system, we won’t know the capabilities of the canals and drainage systems when it rains,” she said. “Be assured that everything will be all right. We work as a team.”

Critics from several quarters, including a senior flood protection official, have called on the government to replace the inexperienced Plodprasop as chairman of the Water and Flood Management Committee.

Ms Yingluck pleaded for Mr Plodprasop’s case, to give him the opportunity to carry out the job.."

In orther words, he hasn't got a clue but give him a chance to prove his plonkership. He lines my pocket, so I support him, guys and don't argue.

We'll only release 2 inches, and if it fails to drain away then the others are responsible, all the other members of the team.

Oh! and incidentally guys, we're aiming to flood out the homes of the democrats whilst we're at it... , so let's all be confident.

----

-mel.

When the test-flood fails to drain-away as hoped, I expect it will be due to the water already in the klongs & rivers, having unexpectedly got in the way ?

Or perhaps the wicked PAD will have organised a co-ordinated mass-flushing of toilets, to sabotage Science Minister Plodprasop's valiant efforts, to protect Bangkok before the forthcoming mayoral-elections ?

Where is Mr Happy Toilet, when his country needs him, for a campaign on when not to use them ?

Well i for one think its a good idea to test this before you actually need it... especially considering the fiasco of last years flooding! But i do sincerely hope for all involved that it works, otherwise they gunna look pretty darn stupid

Ms Yingluck pleaded for Mr Plodprasop’s case, to give him the opportunity to carry out the job

He was given the opportunity last year and failed miserably. Obviously the lady is lying when she claims that her appointments are based on capability.

Odds are this little experiment is going to go horribly horribly wrong.

Expect a few neighborhoods, particularly in poorer areas of Bangkok, to be on the wet end of this 'test'.

You've had your test, it was last year. What have you been doing about it ?

PM Yingluck assured flood drainage test run in Bangkok will not affect capital residents

BANGKOK, 31 August 2012 (NNT) – The Prime Minister has assured that the planned test run of the drainage system through Bangkok early in September will not pose any serious impact on the residents of the capital.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra stated that the drainage system test run in Bangkok on September 5th and 7th will not have any impact on the residents of the city, who reside along all canals.

PM Yingluck stated that related officials will be closely monitoring the test, which will be immediately suspended if it affects Bangkokians.

She said that only 30 percent of water stored behind upstream dams will be released during the test while pleading with the people of Bangkok that the planned test is essential in checking if all preparations for future flooding still need more improvements.

When asked about worries over rising sea level during the days of the test run, the Premier said that the Strategic Committee for Water Resources Management (SCWRM), the Royal Irrigation Department and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) have been working together to explain to the city residents and calm their concerns.

The PM is set to clarify the recent approval of another 120 billion baht as an additional budget for emergency water resources management projects during the state-initiated Water Exhibition in Bangkok, intended to help boost public and investor confidence.

-- NNT 2012-08-31

Does the Thai government not hire competant engineers who can test these same canals on paper instead of actually releasing water from a dam into them, which in effect puts human life at risk??

Does the Thai government not hire competant engineers who can test these same canals on paper instead of actually releasing water from a dam into them, which in effect puts human life at risk??

Does the Thai government not hire competent....... anything, don't you mean??

They hire what pays their back pockets 35% of the deal..... and that's it! It's not corruption, but simply a Thai way of life...

-mel.

Well i for one think its a good idea to test this before you actually need it... especially considering the fiasco of last years flooding! But i do sincerely hope for all involved that it works, otherwise they gunna look pretty darn stupid

You don't think that the irrigation department has all of the flow rates already computed for every major klong and canal in the whole city. It's nice that they test it, it all comes down to how well dredged the canals are.

Of course, they got a nice big budget to upgrade equipment and dredge the canals this year. It will become an issue if the next flood comes in 5 years time, and they haven't done the yearly dredging for 4 years. Last year they showed pump stations around I think Ekaamai area and there was a Dutch engineer involved in helping out. He clearly stated, this would be a great pump station if all 6 pumps were operational. Unfortunately, 3 are under maintenance.

I don't go into Thai's bad, foreigners good, but the reality is that nothing will work if they don't keep all the system to its theoretical maximum year after year. All the testing and modelling goes completely out of the window if they don't dredge the canals every year, and keep the pump systems operational at least for when the normal rainy season high flow periods. Can't move the water out if the system is only capable of 50% of its rated capacity.

So we have a lovely test for television and news that everything is ok. Does it mean they will be able to manage even a flow of 50% of last year in a year's time? Fingers crossed.

PM Yingluck assured flood drainage test run in Bangkok will not affect capital residents

BANGKOK, 31 August 2012 (NNT) – The Prime Minister has assured that the planned test run of the drainage system through Bangkok early in September will not pose any serious impact on the residents of the capital.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra stated that the drainage system test run in Bangkok on September 5th and 7th will not have any impact on the residents of the city, who reside along all canals.

PM Yingluck stated that related officials will be closely monitoring the test, which will be immediately suspended if it affects Bangkokians.

She said that only 30 percent of water stored behind upstream dams will be released during the test while pleading with the people of Bangkok that the planned test is essential in checking if all preparations for future flooding still need more improvements.

When asked about worries over rising sea level during the days of the test run, the Premier said that the Strategic Committee for Water Resources Management (SCWRM), the Royal Irrigation Department and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) have been working together to explain to the city residents and calm their concerns.

The PM is set to clarify the recent approval of another 120 billion baht as an additional budget for emergency water resources management projects during the state-initiated Water Exhibition in Bangkok, intended to help boost public and investor confidence.

-- NNT 2012-08-31

Based on the chain of command you should give order rather than insist.

But, if this is the thing you want to do then I will suggest you better keep your authority to give order just for this one.

"Only 30 percent of water stored behind upstream dams will be released during the test while pleading with the people of Bangkok that the planned test is essential in checking if all preparations for future flooding still need more improvements".

Obviously you don;t have the intention to release 100% of the storage...

Honestly speaking, I don't think you told all the truth about your true motive. You don't need 30% of the strorage from the dams to prove the case. I tend to beleive that you feel uncomfortable with the level of dams stroges upstream. You like to have additional storage margin for flood control. The proposed testing is only served as camouflage.

When the Bhumibol & Sirkit dam were commissioned their actual ability to deal with the Maximum Probable Return Flood (or Probable Maximum Flood (PMF)), i.e. parctically maximum possible flood that a dam is designed to sustain, had never been tested, although they were desgned to have that capability. And so do for most of dams in the the world.

That triggers one question. Do you really know what you are expecting about the near future floods? You ought to expect something. Otherwise it is impossible for you to deal with floods that you don't know their magnitudes and durations.

She said that only 30 percent of water stored behind upstream dams will be released during the test while pleading with the people of Bangkok that the planned test is essential in checking if all preparations for future flooding still need more improvements.

So where are these dams the water is going to be released from?

If they are upstream from whare I live then all this water must pass me before it gets to BKK, right?

Best I be nowhere near the river on these days for there must be a surge of water that could take me to BKK.

And what about all the fishermen on their boats, are they going to be warned about all this water?

BKK isnt the only place that will be affected.

There is also the aspect that there was a warning of a nationwide drought a couple of weeks ago.

If water is released from the dams now will this not worsen the situation if there is not enought rain to refill them?

She said that only 30 percent of water stored behind upstream dams will be released during the test while pleading with the people of Bangkok that the planned test is essential in checking if all preparations for future flooding still need more improvements.

So where are these dams the water is going to be released from?

If they are upstream from whare I live then all this water must pass me before it gets to BKK, right?

Best I be nowhere near the river on these days for there must be a surge of water that could take me to BKK.

And what about all the fishermen on their boats, are they going to be warned about all this water?

BKK isnt the only place that will be affected.

There is also the aspect that there was a warning of a nationwide drought a couple of weeks ago.

If water is released from the dams now will this not worsen the situation if there is not enought rain to refill them?

True Robby. But heck, it doesn't matter about the areas outside Bangkok. It didn't last year, and now they're experienced at being flooded. Time to buy your dingy.

Is that a "smiley face" worn with some panache on the left lapel in the photo? Maybe this is all a big joke after all!

Does the Thai government not hire competant engineers who can test these same canals on paper instead of actually releasing water from a dam into them, which in effect puts human life at risk??

No, they don't have anyone capable of calculating flow and speed. All the foreign companies that bid to do the job were told no need. By the way the Ping river in Chiang Mai is already rising. If you live in BKK time to get the diving gear out.

Why have they waited to run such tests?

One can only hope that this is not the FROC mk II.

She said that only 30 percent of water stored behind upstream dams will be released during the test while pleading with the people of Bangkok that the planned test is essential in checking if all preparations for future flooding still need more improvements.

Another thread has the Science Minister saying

"the water to be used for the tests would come from downstream of the Chai Nat dam and had been reserved especially for this purpose."

Anyone who knows what dams there are between Chai Nat and Bangkok ?

DDPM: Flash floods to hit most of Thailand on Sep 2-5

BANGKOK, 31 August 2012 (NNT) - The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has issued a warning for residents in the North, Northeast, East and central region to brace for flash floods, forest runoffs and heavy rain during September 2-5.

Sounds like that precious Chainat water may not be needed after all.

this years test coming soon enough .

Why have they waited to run such tests?

They have waited for all this flash flood water which is coming Sept 2 - 5 that is free, instead of using the precious stored water!!! lol...............

If the rains, as predicted in the next few days materialise, it will be a test the PM may not want. And in the previous post - about if the level does not exceed 2.2metres? Give me a break... idiots!!

One trusts that this 'test' will not turn out to be a 'test-to-destruction' ?

... on second-thoughts ... reaches for Wellington-boots !

Re the boats and prop's discussion. If some obtained the dye they use in Chicago every year to turn the water green on St Pat's day and added to the water at the bow of the boats then surely it be easy to see if it was actually going downstream faster or being fed back upstream under the boats and going around the boats in a big circle.

Reading through this thread, I get an impression that there is an unawareness BKK Governor insisted the flood prevention issue in BKK is BKK's responsibility and that the government has allocated a budget for BKK to address this.

In January, BKK stated 370 canals will be improved. In April, BKK stated the improvement will be finished before flood season. And on April 27, 2012, a total of ฿1915, 936ม 522.40 was requested and approved for BKK to make improvements with the canal system. In July, BKK seem to be saying flood prevention in BKK is not the responsibility of the city and appear to be aiming the finger at the government of the flood testing fails.

And just now BKK Governor says he's worried that the test is being done during and anticipated heavy rain. Didn't he say the canals will be improved and the city prepared before the rain come? Does this mean after almost 2 billion bahts and a stated objective, BKK's canal improvement program is not where the Governor said it would be?