City floods early test meant for Chadchart’s team
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, who has now experienced the position for three weeks, faces some main challenges if this individual wants to solve flood problems in the capital following four days of extremely heavy rainfall last week.
Submerged roads plus pavements caused by the persistent heavy rain that began early in the week paralysed traffic in several areas of the city. Among the worst hit areas had been Don Muang, Chaengwattana, Phahon Yothin, Beat Khen and Bekv?m Krabang.
However , with more large rain forecast for the rest of the monsoon time of year and a warning from a flood expert the “real thing” can be yet to come, Mister Chadchart will have their work cut out meant for him.
Following the heavy flooding, Seree Supratid, movie director of the Climate Alter and Disaster Centre of Rangsit University, wrote on Facebook:
“Over the past four times, Bangkok, its nearby neighbours and some provinces which includes Rayong have been affected by heavy rain and flooding. I’m since concerned as you are. But don’t be trapped by 2011 floods. Genuine has yet to come. ”
Discussing the overflow situation on Weekend, Mr Chadchart expressed particular concern concerning the situation now that three of the city’s main canals — Klong Premprachakorn, Klong Lat Phrao and Klong Prawet Burirom — have hit full capacity, meaning depleting flood water will take time.
The canals, the central element in the particular city’s flood and drainage infrastructure, are overwhelmed as a result of large rain, which has achieved an average of 100 millimetres each day, he stated.
“This morning, most of the primary streets are dried out except some sections near the canals. Wish speeding up work on two fronts — draining water and providing assistance to flood-hit occupants, ” he said.
Shelters are being set up in Boom Khen, Lak Cuando, Sai Mai and Don Muang regarding flood victims, whilst City Hall is certainly working closely with the Royal Irrigation Section (RID) on flood management measures, this individual said.
Mr Chadchart mentioned runoff from the North is unlikely to worsen the situation yet communities outside the overflow barriers should stay on alert.
“What is worrisome is if full waterways receive more rain water. We’re not concerned about runoff. Draining is slow, inch he said.
City Hall will shift from building giant tunnels to improving draining in the long run, but the immediate priority is to unclog sewers and pumps out and install more pumps, said Mister Chadchart.
Former MP Chuwit Kamolvisit gave a thumbs-down to Mister Chadchart and his team’s first battle against city-wide floods.
Mr Chuwit also suggested that many thesakij , or city inspectors, had not been active in providing help flood-hit residents even though being one of their particular key responsibilities.
“If matters remain unchanged next year, brace for criticism. Good luck, governor. When it comes to city residents, really every man just for himself, ” he said.
Suchatvee Suwansawat, an ex Democrat governor applicant, also came out in making number of suggestions to alleviate flooding in Lat Krabang.
The former rector of King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang said more drinking water pumps, and diverting flood water far from the overwhelmed Klong Prawet Burirom are crucial. “Bangkok should also keep talks with government bodies in Chachoengsao state to see if the overflow water can be diverted to Bang Pakong River and pressed out to sea, ” he said.
Lifting Prawet Burirom sluice gate and diverting drinking water into Chao Phraya River via Phra Khanong pumping station was another choice, according to Mr Suchatvee.
At the same time, the Department of Disaster Prevention plus Mitigation says it will install 21 extra pumps to speed up drainage in Bangkok. The department earlier installed 18 penis pumps and the BMA recently requested more.