Floods flood into Bangkok's northern district

Floodwaters have flooded some of the residential areas north of Bangkok, Thailand, when all the sluice gates in the city were opened for flood discharge to the sea.

The water reached half a meter in Laksi district, 15 km from central Bangkok, making the two residential areas affected . "There are more than 1,000 households in each of these neighborhoods," Pramin Kosumphan, a district official, told AFP. "Water comes in from the Prapa channel, but the situation is stable and people are warned."

Last night, Bangkok governor, Mr. Sukhumbhand Paribatra, issued a flood warning to people in Don Muang and Laksi districts. This is the second flood alarm, after the first alarm on October 19 for the city's 7 districts.

A resident moves domestic animals through floodwaters. (Photo: Bangkok post)

Sukhumbhand Paribatra asked people in these places to move to established shelters. The second warning was issued after flood waters at Khlong Prapa canal were rising and leaking at the Laski district dyke system.

Bangkok post said the city hall and the government agreed to open all the sluice gates to flood the sea through Bangkok's canals.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said all sluices must be opened and must be controlled to regulate flood flow. The dyke system is no longer strong enough to prevent flood water from entering the city center but only slowing down the speed of water. She also asked people to live along channels to cooperate with the government in flood discharge and not panic if the water level rises.

Along with the opening of the flood gate, the Thai government has increased the danger level of floods in the capital. However, the former governor of Bangkok said the flood discharge would not cause flood water to enter the city but only be able to flood the surface of some roads.

Flood diagram in Bangkok, Thailand. (Graphic: BBC)

Thailand has confirmed that so far floods have killed at least 342 people and two missing. Floods can make Thailand's annual economic growth drop by 1%. This reduction may double if Bangkok is submerged by floods.