Flood level in city 'will reach 20cm'

Flooding is likely as tropical storm Gaemi hits central Thailand this weekend, but the problem in Bangkok will not be severe, water engineering experts from Chulalongkorn University say.

Sucharit Koontanakulvong, an expert from the department of water resources engineering at Chulalongkorn University, said the approximate flood level would be 20cm.

At least 11 areas around Bangkok are at risk. The areas are Lat Phrao, Min Buri, Phra Khanong, Bang Kae, along Khlong Prawet, Khlong Sam Wa, Khlong Song Wa, Khlong Phraya Ratchamontri, Khlong Phittayalongkorn, Khlong Thawi Wattana, and the area to the east of Suvarnabhumi airport.

The storm would bring with it heavy rainfall, Dr Sucharit said.

He said the water level in two major dams in the North _ Bhumibol and Sirikit _ would be kept at 60% of total capacity, which means the dams still have space to store water.

The Meteorology Department said the level of rainfall in the lower Chao Phraya River basin last month was equivalent to one-third of the rainfall in the area over the whole year average of the past two years.

Climate change, canal encroachment and urban expansion could be also blamed for the flooding in Bangkok this year, Dr Sucharit said.

The government has set aside 20 billion baht to improve the drainage system and create water retention areas in Bangkok. However, Dr Sucharit said only 50% of the work has been done.

Kangwan Deesuwan, the director of the main drainage system development division of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, said the BMA had cleared more than 1,600 waterways and canals and 6,400km of underground drainage pipes around Bangkok to handle possible floods in the capital this weekend.

Several canals would channel water out of central Bangkok, while the BMA has installed water pumps in many areas, Mr Kangwan said.

Share your thoughts

Discussion 1 : 04/10/2012 at 01:36 PM
I am with you on the timing nowayout according to NASA it will reach Vietnam on the 6th or 7th.The depression has stalled making it at least 2 days late hitting Thailand. This lot clearly do not use NASAs information because of the spy allegations last year!!So much for the early warning it may be to early.
Discussion 2 : 04/10/2012 at 09:44 AM
"The government has set aside 20 billion baht to improve the drainage system and create water retention areas in Bangkok. However, Dr Sucharit said only 50% of the work has been done." Actually all of the work has been done. 50% or 10 billion was used improving the drainage system, and 50% or 10 billion was used to make certain officials approve the drainage system improvement plan!
Discussion 3 : 04/10/2012 at 07:53 AM
nowayout, I looked at th sat. photos this morning and it looks like Tropical Storm Gaemi is breaking up, still out in the South China Sea
Discussion 4 : 04/10/2012 at 06:55 AM
Been follwoing the storms path for days now. I doubt it will make landfall 5th or 6th as Thai predicts but maybe 7th or 8th and then hit Thailand Central about 8th - 10th (mid-week, not the weekend).
Discussion 5 : 04/10/2012 at 06:08 AM
Always wondered how they could calculate this no, this time 20 cm , must be a very advanced mathematical model if it can also incorporate the huge amounts of garbage that bangkokians dumps in sewers, drains and khlongs, they want to get wet feet so not much to do about it.

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