Defend city flood control efforts
Faced with predictions of several more weeks of rain, top Pattaya officials checked the progress of clearing of storm drains intended to handle storm runoff and prevent flooding.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome, Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay and Sanitation Department Director Virat Jiraphaithun walked the streets inspecting the drains near the Old Naklua Market Oct. 3.
City officials inspect storm drains in Naklua as workers use heavy equipment to clear them of debris that might inhibit water flow during heavy rainfall.
Itthiphol noted that the area often is inundated by storm runoff, but maintained that the city has completed similar flood-control work in 15 Pattaya neighborhoods, including Soi Buakaow, Soi Bongkot, Thamsamakkee Temple, behind Mareewit School and elsewhere.
City workers are clearing sand, wood, stones and other obstacles to water flow. “When the work is done, drainage from the head to end of the system will work efficiently during heavy and continuous rainfall,” the mayor promised.
Itthiphol said the city has requested a 20 million baht budget to purchase pumps, replace drain covers and other equipment. He added that the city’s previously automatic three main pumps have been switched to manual mode, allowing workers to turn on pumps any time rain falls for more than 15 minutes.
