Bangkok, Metro Region Braces For Floods

[george]

Bangkok, metro region braces for floods

BANGKOK: -- Top officials and government flood control organisations race against time to coordinate among all state agencies concerned with defending the capital against the rising waters of the Chao Phraya River at flood stage combined with seasonal high tides.

Emergency follow-through meetings are continuing as Bangkok braces for possible flooding and massive anti-flood operations nationwide are taking place throughout the Chao Phraya Basin and other flood-affected areas..

Officials met Saturday in a meeting chaired by Supreme Commander Gen. Boonsang Niampradit, who presides over the flood relief committee.

Representatives from the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) and governors of provinces suffering or threatened by inundation (including Bangkok and the metropolitan region) attended the meeting.

Speaking afterward, Gen. Boonsang said the military in conjunction with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will bring, on Sunday, emergency relief items for distribution to people in flooded areas.

On preparations to help the northern metropolitan areas, where water levels are predicted to rise on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Royal Irrigation Department has been asked to hold water from various dams in the northern part of Chao Praya River as far as possible in order to save Bangkok from the looming floods.

Pirapong Suwanmontri, deputy director-general of the Royal Irrigation Department, said all dams are reaching maximum capacity for holding waters, especially the Bhumibol and Pasak Cholasit Dams.

Practically, he indicated, it is impossible for the Royal Irrigation Department to stop releasing water altogether, although it will try to keep the release at minimum levels.

Mr. Pirapong urged the public to understand that the best the RID can do now is to temporarily stop the flow and pray for the rains to stop.

Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin said the BMA will work closely with the Royal Irrigation Department in pumping water from the Chao Phraya River into the Gulf of Thailand.

In the eastern parts of Bangkok--low-lying areas in Minburi, Lat Krabang and Nong Chok districts, excess water will be pumped and drained into the Bangpakong River. The governor stressed that the flood control embankments and dykes on the banks of Chao Praya River are strong enough to withstand the waters.

--TNA 2006-10-08