Floodwaters advanced deep into Bangkok

Floodwaters from the northern suburbs are continuing to penetrate the capital of Bangkok, after a sluice gate and a flood protection dike cannot withstand large water forces.

Bangkok residents together left their homes to run flooding yesterday. (Photo: AFP)

The water level in the northern Bangkok area continued to increase, so the vehicles could not pass from yesterday, Bangkok Post reported. Meanwhile, Bangkok's central general department store has been inundated from 40 to 50cm and closed for the second day in a row. Many other areas of the Thai capital were gradually invaded by flood waters. In particular, the Min Buri fresh market is also flooded by the amount of water coming from the Khlong Sam Wa district, northwest of the capital, increasing after the flood gate here is expanded.

Opposition Democratic leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday warned the Thai government and the Bangkok capital government not to announce that any district is safe from floodwaters.

Democratic spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut urged the government to persuade protesters in Khlong Sam Wa district to stop protesting, to protect national interests. In particular, the Thai government needs clear remedies for those who have to accept living in the floodwaters in exchange for dryness for central Bangkok.

Map showing the flood situation in Bangkok. The red line in the picture is the belt
flood protection. The yellow line represents the central area of ​​Bangkok.
The pale pink part is the area that has been invaded by flood waters. (Graphics: Microsoft / OCHA)

Anond Snidwongs, a member of the drainage committee of the Flood Control Center (FROC), hopes to set up a flood protection dike with large sandbags along Khlong Rangsit Prayoonsak canal in the Muang Ake residential area to help limit processing water to the city center from the north. Anond said the installation of sandbags will be completed on November 4 and flooding in the northern parts of Bangkok will be withdrawn within a week.

However, Mr Anond said flooding in the west and east of Bangkok could last for about a month, as about 1.7 to 2 billion cubic meters of water still flow from Ayutthaya province to Bangkok.

Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said on October 30 that the flooding could not rise further in Bangkok and would gradually withdraw in the early days of November. However, the flood situation in the Thai capital was not yet improved. Good in the past few days.

Amid the threat of the Thai capital, Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra ordered police to protect workers who are repairing flood gates in Khlong Sam Wa district, a reverse move. and the decision of Prime Minister Yingluck earlier.

Mr. Sukhumbhand gave himself control over many issues related to the flood campaign in the capital, the Bangkok Post reported. Specifically, he will order police to protect workers during the floodgate repair in Khlong Sam Wa district.

Prime Minister Yingluck and Bangkok Governor Shukhumbhand (far right)
going to the water level at a water pumping station in the capital on October 24. (Photo: AFP)

Bangkok's surprise move was a challenge for Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who ordered the capital authorities to extend the above-mentioned flood outlet to a meter. Ms. Yingluck made this decision after people living around the floodgate came to break a part of this project right in front of the police. Local people want flood water to be drained faster, to avoid flooding of their living areas.

Sukhumbhand governor said he had ordered the flood gate to be repaired at Khlong Sam Wa according to the disaster prevention law, which indicated he was the lead in disaster management in Bangkok. This means that he can mobilize the capital police to Khlong Sam Wa, in order to maintain the orders against floods and to prevent new vandalism. The penalty for challenging the police and obstructing the workers is 3 months in prison and 6,000 bath fines (about 200 USD).

Mr. Sukhumbhand said that the floodgate at Khlong Sam Wa could be collapsed if it was not repaired, leading to heavy flooding of residential communities on Ram Intra and Ram Khamhaeng roads. Meanwhile, Deputy Governor Thirachon Manomaipiboon even emphasized that 50 districts in Bangkok are at risk of flooding if the flood gates at Khlong Sam Wa break, due to 2,000 canals and many underground roads in the Thai capital. Lan is connected.

In addition to the Khlong Sam Wa hot spot, Mr. Thirachon said the reports of the Flood Control Center (FROC) confirmed that the agency still could not close the flood gates at Channel 8 and Channel 10, due to opposition. intense of people in flooded areas around it. If these gates are not closed, floodwaters will affect many other areas of Bangkok.

The situation in the west of Bangkok is still unclear when the flooded area is still expanding. However, flood water in the ancient capital of Ayutthaya is gradually withdrawn and this is a good signal for Bangkok. Ayutthaya is about 90 km north of Bangkok.

The map shows the location of the Khlong Sam Wa sluice gate and the areas that may be affected
if this sluice gate is expanded (including Bang Chan industrial zone and
residential areas along Saen Saep canal). (Graphics: Bangkok Post)

In recent years, there has been a lot of information about the rift between the Flood Control Operation Center directed by Prime Minister Yingluck and Bangkok city government. The two sides did not find a common voice on a number of issues related to flood coping in the capital of 12 million people. Ms. Yingluck even had to go to newspapers to confirm that the government will always support the Bangkok government in the fight against floods. However, the issue of flood gates in Khlong Sam Wa district continues to be an obstacle in the relationship to fight against floods of officials in Thailand.

The historic flood in Thailand is in the third month, with huge losses of people and property. At least 427 people were killed while estimating the amount of money to overcome the aftermath of the flood could reach $ 3.3 billion.