Water In Bangkok's Eastern Canals Drained To Prepare For More Rainfall

[webfact]

Water in Bangkok’s eastern canals drained to prepare for more rainfall

BANGKOK, Sept 24 – The Royal Irrigation Department has coordinated with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to drain water from Bangkok’s eastern canals into the Bangpakong River and the Gulf of Thailand in preparation for heavy rain in the next few days as forecast by the meteorological department.

Surat Thanusilp, a senior official of the irrigation department said a large amount of water is now in Bangkok’s eastern canals as it holds the northern run-off of about 16 million cubic metres per day and rainfall of 300-400 millimetres per hour in the area.

The department is speeding water drainage into the Bangpakong River at about 10 million cubic metres per day and into the Gulf of Thailand at 23 million cubic metres per day.

About 900,000 cubic metres of water have been drained through Saen Saeb canal and Prawet canal to the Rama IX giant drainage tunnel and the Prakhanong pump water station.

He said the volume of northern run-off has dropped and the situation should return to normal if there is no more rainfall. However, more rainfall could cause flooding at some canal-side areas outside the flood prevention dyke.

The Thai News Agency surveyed the sluice gate of Saen Saeb canal in Min Buri district and found that the water level behind the gate is over the critical level by 16 centimetres and up to the brim of the river banks while on the other side, the water is 60 centimetres lower.

However, the drainage and sewerage department confirmed that water drainage continues as planned. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-09-24

[asiawatcher]

At least if they drain the water the floods back up country should be minimised. Last years holding back water was sheer stupidity.

[whybother]

At least if they drain the water the floods back up country should be minimised. Last years holding back water was sheer stupidity.

It won't make any difference to the floods upcountry. This is just draining the existing water in the canals so that the expected rain in Bangkok will clear quicker.

[zakk9]

I'm looking out my window, down at the klong near Srinakarin. Filled to the brim

[yourauntbob]

hmmm.......... letting water flow down stream before it builds up to critical levels, why didnt they think of this before? no seriously, how could this be a new concept to them?

[hedonist44]

It should be embarrassing for them to know that it has become news worthy that they are finally doing what they are getting paid to do. Hope they can keep it up and be consistent for a change.

[noob7]

hmmm.......... letting water flow down stream before it builds up to critical levels, why didnt they think of this before? no seriously, how could this be a new concept to them?

No one 'tea moneyed' this idea?

[hellodolly]

hmmm.......... letting water flow down stream before it builds up to critical levels, why didnt they think of this before? no seriously, how could this be a new concept to them?

easy

[hellodolly]

Just ca not make sense out of this part of the article.

"the water level behind the gate is over the critical level by 16 centimetres and up to the brim of the river banks while on the other side, the water is 60 centimetres lower.

However, the drainage and sewerage department confirmed that water drainage continues as planned. (MCOT online news)"

They planned to have it up to the brim on one side and low on the other. What posable reason would they have to build up a reservoir of water in Bangkok.

[robblok]

Just ca not make sense out of this part of the article.

"the water level behind the gate is over the critical level by 16 centimetres and up to the brim of the river banks while on the other side, the water is 60 centimetres lower.

However, the drainage and sewerage department confirmed that water drainage continues as planned. (MCOT online news)"

They planned to have it up to the brim on one side and low on the other. What posable reason would they have to build up a reservoir of water in Bangkok.

Maybe they are preventing the water to pass through BKK thereby flooding minburi. I would not be supprised if that was the reason. They did it last flooding with us in the west of BKK. Holding water out of the city letting other parts flood extra.

Not sure this is the case here as i dont know the exact geography

[noob7]

Just ca not make sense out of this part of the article.

"the water level behind the gate is over the critical level by 16 centimetres and up to the brim of the river banks while on the other side, the water is 60 centimetres lower.

However, the drainage and sewerage department confirmed that water drainage continues as planned. (MCOT online news)"

They planned to have it up to the brim on one side and low on the other. What posable reason would they have to build up a reservoir of water in Bangkok.

To prove the PM wrong?

[DickDastardly]

rainfall of 300-400 millimetres per hour

That's some seriously heavy rainfall.

[jpinx]

It beggars belief that they "hold" water in the canals -- or am I missing something here?

[stefb1964]

Re-inventing existing solutions or is Thailand the hub of geniuses ? As the common farang as you and I know, we'd first deal with the flood problems up north, but then.. we aren't the experts, they are (not even the experts from the Netherlands as we know by now)...

[Rosco911]

At least if they drain the water the floods back up country should be minimised. Last years holding back water was sheer stupidity.

It won't make any difference to the floods upcountry. This is just draining the existing water in the canals so that the expected rain in Bangkok will clear quicker.

Chiang Mai and further north are holding water trying to help but this also happened last year until it reached danger level. We saw what happened at the point it had to be released and it will happen again.

[edgarfriendly]

Things running smoothly dont warrant huge cash sums becoming available...

Bear this in mind.

Crisis = Opportunity...

Learn something!

[noob7]

Re-inventing existing solutions or is Thailand the hub of geniuses ? As the common farang as you and I know, we'd first deal with the flood problems up north, but then.. we aren't the experts, they are (not even the experts from the Netherlands as we know by now)...

But till now, the Netherlands flood experts did a good job, at Suvanaphum, didn't they?

But, as usual, don't let someone find a solution quickly, for a ploblem, that is as old as the ignorance of it! Face is mo' important

[Thai at Heart]

It beggars belief that they "hold" water in the canals -- or am I missing something here?

If they let it all everyone will see that none of its been cleared.

[thatswhatuthought]

"situation should return to normal if there is no more rainfall." Bahahaha

According to Thai News this has not happened yet and more water is also being sent to East Bangkok from Chachoengsao and northern provences.

Some of the canels in east Bangkok are already overflowing and flooding some small areas in Nong Jok and Latkrabang. Lets hope there is no more rainfall and the weather predictions are wrong.

My prediction. Many parts East Bangkok will be flooded before Oct. 1st. And not flood water that will run off in hours. It will take days or weeks.

Edited September 24, 2012 by thatswhatuthought

[Capsoff]

Yeah, great. Last week, three days of rainfall and the sois between Lat Prao and Ramkamhaeng were flooded to 1ft- 2ft. Happy days are here again!

[hellodolly]

rainfall of 300-400 millimetres per hour

That's some seriously heavy rainfall.

That is 12 to 16 inches in one hour. OUCH

Just to be sure I reread the article and will paste that part here.

"Surat Thanusilp, a senior official of the irrigation department said a large amount of water is now in Bangkok’s eastern canals as it holds the northern run-off of about 16 million cubic metres per day and rainfall of 300-400 millimetres per hour in the area."

Personally I think it is some serious B. S.

[hellodolly]

Just ca not make sense out of this part of the article.

"the water level behind the gate is over the critical level by 16 centimetres and up to the brim of the river banks while on the other side, the water is 60 centimetres lower.

However, the drainage and sewerage department confirmed that water drainage continues as planned. (MCOT online news)"

They planned to have it up to the brim on one side and low on the other. What posable reason would they have to build up a reservoir of water in Bangkok.

Maybe they are preventing the water to pass through BKK thereby flooding minburi. I would not be supprised if that was the reason. They did it last flooding with us in the west of BKK. Holding water out of the city letting other parts flood extra.

Not sure this is the case here as i dont know the exact geography

You might not know the geography.

But you know the idiotic minds behind the thinking and planning.

[hellodolly]

Re-inventing existing solutions or is Thailand the hub of geniuses ? As the common farang as you and I know, we'd first deal with the flood problems up north, but then.. we aren't the experts, they are (not even the experts from the Netherlands as we know by now)...

They do not have time to solve the problem they are to busy reinventing the wheel.