Plan to evacuate parts of Bangkok

A plan to evacuate people from 13 districts and eastern zones of Bangkok located outside flood barriers has been prepared by city officials, who warned yesterday that some parts of the capital will be submerged by overflows from the Chao Phraya.

The weather bureau said Saturday that a monsoon trough still covering the lower Central and Eastern region would develop into a low-pressure cell in the centre of the South China Sea.
Also, a moderate southwesterly monsoon covered the Andaman Sea, the South and the Gulf of Thailand. These conditions had caused torrential rain in the Central area including Bangkok and nearby provinces, as well as the East and upper South.
Eastern parts of Bangkok likely to be flooded are Min Buri, Nong Chok, Lat Krabang and Klong Sam Wa.
The 13 districts at risk are Bang Sue, Dusit, Phra Nakhon, Samphan Thawong, Bang Kholaem, Yannawa, Klong Toei, Bang Plat, Bangkok Noi, Thon Buri, Klong San, Rat Burana and Thawee Wattana.
Some nine canals in the capital would also be flooded, the National Disaster Warning Centre also warned.
The centre reported that the level of water in Bangkok was rising drastically, especially in Klong Bang Phrom, Klong Bang Wak, Klong Prem Prachakorn, Klong Lat Phrao, Pak Klong Talad, Klong Bang Sue, and Klong Maha Sawas. Officials were urged to prepare relief for people living in areas at risk of being flooded.
Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said Saturday that torrential rain caused flooding in 17 areas across Bangkok. Ratchadaphisek Road was the hardest hit area. "We will still handle the flood situation in Bangkok," he assured.
The level of water around the intersection between Ratchada and Lat Phrao was 30 to 40cm deep, which paralysed traffic in the area.
Other areas affected were Ratchayothin intersection, Lat Phrao intersection, Lat Phrao Soi 22, Ngam Wong Wan Road, Kaset intersection, Pradit Manoo Tham Road, Phaholyothin, Srinakarin Road and Nawamin Road.
BMA officials used pumps to drain excess water from the roads, which was funnelled to the Rama IV-Ramkhamhaeng water tunnel.
"We expected that the water level would recede within two hours," Sukhumbhand said.
With many people worrying about flood water from the North that will hit Bangkok, Sukhumbhand said city officials were still able to drain water continuously.
He visited barriers built to keep out water, to monitor the situation at Rangsit canal water gate 6, which is connected to Pathum Thani. He ordered officials to strengthen barriers to prevent water flowing into Rangsit canal.
In the late afternoon, the governor organised a religious ceremony and asked holy beings to push water into other areas.
"No matter if people believe in these things or not, I do not care. If it makes everything better, I will do it," he said.

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