BANGKOK, 28 October 2011 – The Flood Relief Operations Center (FROC) and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) have agreed to dig a water passage across two major eastbound roads in hope of speeding up the flood diversion to the sea.
Speaking of the attempt to resolve the flood crisis, Deputy Bangkok Governor Theerachon Manomaipiboon disclosed that the FROC and the BMA were trying hard to expedite the discharge of floodwater into the Gulf of Thailand via the canal system within the eastern part of Bangkok. However, the Chon Buri Motorway and Bang Na-Trat Highway, which are headed toward the East, are deemed as major obstructions to the water course.
Therefore, a joint decision has been made by the FROC and the BMA to excavate the two roads to open a channel for the floodwater to flow more directly toward the sea. Prior to the digging process, which is expected to complete within three days, temporary flyovers will be installed at the sites in order to allow traffic to carry on as usual.
If the water can travel down the passage as planned, it will be met with nearly 100 water pumps and will be quickly siphoned out to the sea. Improvements in the flood situation can then be expected within 2-3 weeks.
However, Mr Theerachon admitted that impacts on residents living near the flood channel would be inevitable. He thus emphasized the need for the Government to formulate a concrete rehabilitation plan for them.
