Flood Management Command Centre Set Up For Bangkok

[webfact]

FLOOD MANAGEMENT

Command centre set up for Bangkok

THE NATION

Preparations for Tropical Storm Gaemi underway; Army units on standby

BANGKOK: -- An ad-hoc operations centre was set up yesterday to cope with the flood situation in Bangkok and elsewhere for a 30-day period as a result of Tropical Storm Gaemi, which is expected to hit Thailand by the weekend.

The centre, dubbed the Joint Operations Centre on Water Drainage in Low-Lying Areas and based in Bangkok Thai Tower off Phya Thai Road, is scheduled to remain operational until October 31. It is coordinating relevant operations among agencies involved, said Royol Jitdon, a key man in the government's overall flood and water-management operations.

Among operations undertaken are the use of naval vessels propelling water in rivers and canals out to sea outlets, and stricter regulations on docking of private ships to prevent them from obstructing the currents in all waterways, he said. Efficiency in water drainage had increased by half after water pumps were moved from previous locations and placed in strategic areas.

Science Minister Plodprasob Surassawadee, as the head of Royol's committee, called on members of the public "not to leave home" on October 7-9, when Gaemi-influenced heavy downpours are expected throughout Thailand. "That would allow officials to work at their highest capacity. Heads of communities should also call meetings to discuss emergency plans, but stockpiling of foods is not yet needed," he added.

Unused facilities of 11 Army units based in Bangkok have been readied as makeshift water-catchment areas to accommodate extra rainwater volume to be brought by Gaemi. The largest area for water retention is a space between Phaholyothin Road and Vibhavadi-Rangsit highway, connecting parts of the 2nd Cavalry Division and 1st Infantry Regiment (King's guards), Defence Minister Sukampol Suwannathat said.

Soldiers - as many as one-sixth of the entire Army - are also on standby for help if called upon, while the 11 Army bases could be utilised as parking spaces to avoid the scattered storage of cars in spots around Bangkok and neighbouring provinces. In addition to the military-enabled catchment areas, a total of 70,000 rai around Rangsit Canal in northwest Bangkok and Saraburi has also been readied for water retention.

Defence Ministry spokesman Colonel Thanathip Sawangsaeng said a critical rainfall rate was 60mm an hour. If not drained within an hour, this amount of rainfall would result in a 12-hour inundation in Bangkok, but could be alleviated by extra retention areas at the Army bases. However if the rainfall exceeds 100 mm/hour, he said, "the public should remain calm and help one another".

Systematic drainage at key dams in Rayong, Chachoengsao and Nakhon Nayok would be carried out until October 8 to help ease the volume in the ever-brimming Bang Pakong River in Prachin Buri and Chon Buri, which adjoin eastern Bangkok, said director of the National Disaster Warning Centre director Somsak Chaosuwan.

Ten people have been killed in flood-related incidents so far, said the Department of Disease Control. Eight of these were due to drowning, another to electrocution and the cause of the other was unknown. Two of the dead were children. Members of the public are advised to wear life jackets when in flood water, because cramps could lead to drowning.

-- The Nation 2012-10-05

[kurnell]

Sigh.

[whybother]

Based on their choices for operations centres last year, I would be very worried if I lived near this one.

[rubl]

Science Minister Plodprasob Surassawadee, as the head of Royol's committee, called on members of the public "not to leave home" on October 7-9

Does this mean the government will declare the 8th and 9th of October public holidays ?

[sjjmmi]

take cover

[cloghead]

My boss is going to demand that I give him a note from Science Minister Plodprasob to explain why I can't fly to Jakarta on Monday to start my six-week work period. Can any of you knowledgeable TV members provide Khun Plod's email addy for me?

[Thai at Heart]

ubbed the Joint Operations Centre on Water Drainage in Low-Lying Areas

So this is its nickname? I suppose, bangkok drain management is too simple.

[MaxLee]

like I said before: the government sh*****tloads on the other provinces in order to protect Bangkok… that WAS the plan and WILL ALEAYS BE the plan, and is just "concealed in manipulated speeches to the public and foreigners and International business people" in order to "save face"…

But what face is there to face??? The public knows, the International SME's and entrepreneur know, EVERYBODY knows the this current and past governments can't, couldn't and never really cared about the well being of society.

[fareastguy]

At least their up a tower this year.. better luck then Don Muang last year that was just embarrassing.

But I guess with a pair of binoculars they can look at the rising water feature, CCTV tends to stop working under water !!

[dcutman]

The other paper said there is another tropical storm, Phrapiroon, behind this cyclone, it is expected to take the same path.

What was plod saying a couple of weeks ago, how unlikely Thailand will see as many storms as last year?

[fareastguy]

I don't think Plod paid much attention in school looking at his actions to date, let alone paying any attention to the meteorological department !!

[lizardtongue]

Members of the public are advised to wear life jackets when in flood water, because cramps could lead to drowning

Yeah like every Thai has half dozen life jackets hanging in the closet, another day another foot in mouth!

.

[EarthAlien]

Flood Management Command Centre Set Up For Bangkok

Untill they wake up to themselves and elect to relocate the command center to the top floor of the Bayoke Skye hotel then they'll continue to have problems!

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Among operations undertaken are the use of naval vessels propelling water in rivers and canals out to sea outlets, and stricter regulations on docking of private ships to prevent them from obstructing the currents in all waterways, he said.

Glad to see the government is really concentrating its efforts on the high-value water drainage techniques...

[webfact]

PM orders Gaemi storm response centres set up

BANGKOK, Oct 5 – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra ordered the disaster prevention and mitigation department to set up a command centre in response to tropical storm Gaemi, which is forecast to pass Thailand on Sunday with a one day impact.

Chartchai Promlert, director-general of the disaster prevention and mitigation department held a tele-conference with governors and acting governors of 30 provinces likely to be hit by heavy rain, a result of the storm.

They discussed preparations for the upcoming storm. The Water and Flood Management Commission (WFMC) agreed that each province would set up special centres to deal with it and a command centre at the disaster prevention and mitigation department office to respond to emergencies around the clock.

Provincial governors were assigned to report the situation to the command centre and to equip with all communications devices on hand as well as have temporary shelters for evacuation.

Somchai Baimuang, deputy director general of the meteorological department, said the storm is in the mid-South China Sea and will make landfall over central Vietnam tomorrow, enter Thailand on Sunday, passing the lower Northeast, the East and Central Thailand.

Its impact is likely to last only one day before it moves to Myanmar on Monday. Accompanying the storm will be torrential rains, heavy to very heavy, in many areas.

Provinces on special alert are Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Buriram, Ayutthaya, Sing Buri, Chai Nat, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Nayok, Pathum Thani, Kanchanaburi, Suphan Buri, Ang Thong and Lop Buri. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-10-05

[MaxLee]

Oh, ouuh, Nontaburi, I guess it's time to help out my uncle and aunt again…

[khunken]

I wonder who is in charge of this 'command & control centre'. If it's Plod then it's evacuation time again.