More pumps to drain floodwater from Bangkok

Motorists make their way cautiously through floodwater on Phanon Yothin Road near Lat Phrao intersection in Chatuchak district on Monday evening. (Photo: Onnucha Hutasingh)
Motorists make their way cautiously through floodwater on Phanon Yothin Road near Bekv?m Phrao intersection within Chatuchak district upon Monday evening. (Photo: Onnucha Hutasingh)

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt is getting six high-capacity pumping systems from the Natural Assets and Environment Ministry to help existing pumping systems drain the floodwater from the capital.

Natural Assets and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa said on Tuesday that Mr Chadchart experienced phoned him upon Monday to ask for help.

He or she said the ministry agreed to send 6 30-inch water pumps to the Bangkok City Administration (BMA).   Four of the pumping systems would go to Phra Khanong pumping train station on Tuesday mid-day and be installed immediately, Mr Varawut mentioned.

An additional pump was being set up in the Srinakharin-Bang Em area and was expected to start drainining  water on Wednesday or Wednesday. The particular sixth pump will be sent on September 19, the minister said.

The six pumps were from local offices and had higher pumping capacities. In the event that fully operated, the particular floodwater level in many areas of Bangkok would certainly drop significantly, this individual said.

He would discuss with the Bangkok governor other measures to empty the water, which had to take high  ocean tides into consideration. The particular ministry would assist the city administration overcome flooding, he mentioned.

The particular BMA and the ministry were working together in various ways, such as making a joint committees in order to tackle pollution, waste materials water and rubbish management, to improve the standard of life of urban residents.

Mr Varawut mentioned the flooding within Bangkok was activated by local large rain, unlike the disastrous floods of 2011 which were caused by storm runoff from the North.

Northern run-off has entered Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Suphan Buri and surrounding provinces. Efforts were getting made to drain this into the Gulf associated with Thailand, Mr Varawut said.