A total of 2.5 million sandbags will be distributed to areas in the capital city prone to flooding, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration spokesman Ekwaranyu Amarapal said on Wednesday.
They would be provided by the BMA’s department of drainage and sewerage.
Mr Ekwaranyu said Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt had a policy of encouraging communities to take part in the flood prevention efforts of their district offices
District offices were duty-bound to provide them with equipment and material, including sandbags, to build floodwalls in low-lying areas along canals or beside the Chao Phraya River.
The sandbags could also be used to build walls encircling flooded areas so water could be pumped out, and to build temporary walkways, he said.
Mr Ekwaranyu said City Hall was speeding up the filling of sandbags for distribution. People or groups wishing to help could do so at five spots: 1. the Bung Nong Bon sports centre, Prawet district; 2. under Ratchavibha bridge, Chatuchak district; 3. under Sathorn bridge, Sathorn district; 4. under Phutthamonthon Sai 1 bridge, Taling Chan district; and 5. under the Phetkasem-Bang Khae interchange, Bang Kae district.
This week, the first 200,000 sandbags would be povided to flood-risk spots such as Lat Krabang, Nong Chok and Prawet districts, east of Bangkok, he said.
Governor Chadchart said that tropical storm Noru was expected to bring widespread rain. It was essential to be on watch for possible flooding, especially in the east of Bangkok. This included Min Buri, Nong Chok, Lat Krabang, Saphan Sung and Suan Luang districts; Don Muang and Bang Khen districts in the north; and Samphanthawong and Pomprapsatruphai districts by the Chao Phraya.
The 2.5 million sandbags being prepared would be distributed to all flood-risk spots, to strengthen flood prevention efforts, he said.
Mr Chadchart expressed particular concern for the Lat Krabang Industrial Estate, which has more than 40,000 workers. He said Lat Krabang area was most vulnerable to flooding as it was very difficult to drain water out of there.