Governor Confident Bangkok will Avert Flooding, While Flood Hit Areas Expanding to the North

BANGKOK – The flood situation in many northern provinces is still worrisome as the flood hit areas are expanding, and landslides have occurred in many locations.

Floodwater at the lower Rama VI Dam in Ayutthaya has risen by 10-20 cm while Ubon Ratchathani floodwater is easing.

Meanwhile, Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra today reaffirmed that the overall flood situation in the Thai capital is not worrisome though more effort to speed up draining is needed in time of heavy downpours.

Speaking after inspecting water situation in central Ayutthaya province, Mr Sukhumbhand expressed confidence that Bangkok will not be flooded as large volumes of water have been discharged from the Pasak Cholasit Dam to the Pasak River via the Rama VI Dam, before flowing to the Chao Phraya River, bypassing Bangkok going to the Gulf of Thailand.

Meanwhile, water stored in the Rama VI Dam is also being released to the Raphipat canal through the Phra Narai sluice gate before reaching the eastern side of Bangkok.

Mr Sukhumbhand said that the overall flood situation is not worrisome since the volume of water being discharged from the dam was not as great as in 2011.

The Royal Irrigation Department and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) have been working closely to prevent flooding, he said, explaining that the capital has the capacity to handle water running through the Chao Phraya River at 2,900 cubic metres per second. As of now, water in the Chao Phraya River is flowing at 2,300 cubic metres per second.

The governor, however, expressed concern over the city’s drainage system as the authorities still need to expedite draining water in time of heavy downpour.