Ayutthaya town to stay dry - at least for now

AYUTTHAYA, Sept 14 - Six districts in Thailand’s firmer capital of Ayutthaya, 67 km north of Bangkok, have been inundated but the governor remains confident that the provincial seat will be safe from floods.

Ayutthaya governor Witthaya Piewpong said water level in the Chao Phraya River, which flows through the provincial town, was lower than the river bank despite the fact that water was being released from the Chao Phraya Dam in the northern province of Chai Nat at 4 million cubic metres/day.

The water level of the river has increased by only a few centimetres while dykes on the Noi, Pasak and Lopburi Rivers, all of which flow through Ayutthaya, will be able to prevent a flooding in the town adjacent to the old capital.

Though Ayutthaya town remains dry, additional prevention measures are needed, the governor said, adding that the Pasak Dam in Lopburi province, north of Ayutthaya, will be asked to hold its release of water until the water level in the Chao Phraya River declines. The Pasak River joins the Chao Phraya River in Ayutthaya.

The six flooded districts in Ayutthaya are Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya, Phak Hai, Bang Ban, Sena, Bang Sai and Bang Pa-in.

Bang Ban district is the province’s biggest cultivation area for bananas. It was flooded last year and again this year.

In Sena district, water flooding from the Noi River through the drainage system has entered Ban Pae market and surrounding areas. The municipality has installed water pumps and built wooden bridges as temporary passages for residents.

Her Majesty the Queen has assigned a royal representative from the Thai Red Cross to distribute bags of necessities and drinking water to flood-stricken residents in Bang Ban district.

Meanwhile, Culture Minister Sukumol Kunplome inspected historic sites in Ayutthaya, especially the Chai Wattanaram temple on the Chao Phraya riverbank.

Fine Arts officials are busily working to prevent the significant temple from inundation.

The Irrigation Department also informed residents along the Chao Phraya River that water to be released into the river will be increased from 1,800 cubic metres/second to 2,000 cm/s due to water runoff from the North.

The additional release will increase the water level that flows through Sing Buri, Ang Thong and Ayutthaya---all of which are located below the Pasak Dam. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-09-14

Flooding is here again for this year....just like in all years. Thailand is still a tropical environment with heavy rainfalls during monsoon season and flooding in certain areas....been that way for a long, long time and I don't expect it to change anytime soon.

The key is to sort through the media attention grabbing headlines to determine if this year's flooding has reached the "abnormal" range....that is, much higher than normal along with govt ineptness in flood control. If that occurs again this year then get out your sandbags Bangkok!

We can only but hope so - Ayutthaya has had enough in the last 12 years. Thoughts and wishes to these people and their struggles.