WHILE visiting New Petchaburi road-Ekamai area last evening (Sep. 27) Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt acknowledged that it may take weeks for floodwaters in this stretch to recede while Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul was jeered by an angry resident while visiting badly-inundated Klong Chan flats who asked “Why did you come here?”, Amarin TV and TV Channel 7 said.
The flooding in the New Phetchaburi–Ekamai area is partly caused by water overflowing from Saen Saep canal. Additionally, the area is a low-lying stretch beneath an expressway and the floodwaters cannot drain away naturally even after this canal’s water level drops with Bangkok Metropolitan Authority (BMA) having stationed mobile pumps to draw it back to the canal, he said.
Deputy Governor Wisanu Subsompon said the route from Asok is beginning to dry out, and continuous pumping operations are underway. However, the Sena Nikhom area, specifically the stretch from Phahonyothin road into Sena Nikhom, remains heavily flooded due to critically high water level in Lat Phrao canal.
Reducing this canal’s water level is the immediate priority with BMA having diverted some water from Saen Saep to Sam Sen canal, which benefits from a drainage tunnel, and is preparing to deploy boats to help push water along Lat Phrao canal to further accelerate drainage.
Efforts are currently focused on accelerating drainage in four main canals: Saen Saep, Lat Phrao, Prawet Buriram, and Prem Prachakorn. Pumps area operating at full capacity to lower canal water levels and facilitate drainage from the surrounding areas.
Chadchart emphasised that Saen Saep canal continues to receive side flows from outlying areas, mainly Min Buri and Nong Chok. Consequently, water must be continuously pumped out to Chao Phraya river to lower the canal’s water level and accelerate drainage of floodwaters from Ramkhamhaeng and Bang Kapi districts into the canal system.
Areas requiring close monitoring include Lat Krabang, Rom Klao community, and Khlong Chan, all of which have high population densities and numerous residences. While surface water on roads is expected to drain relatively quickly, floodwaters in communities, located further within, will take longer to drain, potentially requiring several days or even up to a week in some areas. Residents unable to stay in their homes may move to shelters arranged by BMA.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Anutin was jeered by an unidentified man who angrily asked, “Why did you come here?” while visiting Khlong Chan flats during an inspection of this area in Bang Kapi district where floodwaters have reached 1.5 metres.
He met Energy Minister Akanat Promphan and his team there with the latter assisting flood victims and was briefed on their efforts to evacuate vulnerable groups from heavily flooded areas.
The Prime Minister then boarded a boat to distribute relief bags to residents of Khlong Chan flats, where surrounding floodwaters had risen to approximately 1.50 metres and gave them moral support with many of them coming out to receive essential items and dried food.
However, one man yelled out as Anutin’s boat arrived inside the complex, “Why are you coming here?” with a look of displeasure.
An official replied, “We are bringing water,” while using his arm to hold the man back.
Residents ask for urgent delivery of two water pumps to gradually drain water from the building’s pump room, as they currently lacked access to clean water for daily use. Anutin inquired about the required specifications and models to ensure the pumps would meet the residents’ needs.
The Meteorological Department warned that heavy to very heavy rain is continuing in parts of the western and lower North, western Central region, and the East. While rainfall will decrease in other regions, heavy rain is still possible in some areas.
This is because a low-pressure cell has moved into the Gulf of Martaban, an arm of the Andaman sea in the southern part of Myanmar, while a relatively strong southwesterly monsoon continues to prevail over the Andaman sea, the South, and the Gulf of Thailand.
Residents, particularly in the North, Central, and Eastern regions, are advised to remain cautious of dangers associated with heavy to very heavy rain and accumulated rainfall for another day. This weather could lead to accumulated flooding, especially in areas at foothills near waterways and in low-lying areas. Travel through routes prone to recurring flooding should be avoided, particularly in low-lying areas where short-term flooding may occur.
Regarding sea conditions, winds and waves in the Andaman sea and the Gulf of Thailand are relatively strong. In upper Gulf of Thailand and Andaman sea, wave are from 2 to 3 metres high, exceeding 3 metres in areas hit by thunderstorms. In lower Gulf of Thailand and Andaman sea, wave heights are approximately 2 metres, exceeding 2 metres in areas lashed by thunderstorms.
CAPTIONS:
Top, first insert and Front Page: Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt visiting New Petchaburi-Ekamai area. Photos – Amarin TV
Second insert: Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul at Klong Chan flats. Photo – TV Channel 7
Earlier reports:
Cabinet declares tomorrow and day after special holidays for Bangkok, 3 provinces
Bangkok flooding ‘has stabilised’, improvement likely this evening: Chadchart
Bangkok in critical situation amid non-stop rain with many areas flooded
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