PATHUM THANI, Oct 11 – Pathum Thani is racing against time and the tide to fix another two dykes damaged by floodwaters Monday night to prevent more extensive flooding, that could affect a temporary shelter and the main fresh market in the northern suburbs supplying Bangkok.
Pathum Thani Governor Peerasak Hinmuangkao deployed 300 provincial workers to repair a damaged dyke at the Hong temple in the provincial seat before moving the team to fix another two dykes breached by flood water in Sam Khok district. He said he believed the repairs will be completed today.
The three dykes were breached Monday night. Sandbag embankments have been reinforced while repair work continues. Many local residents evacuated to stay on higher ground on roadsides while some remain in their homes on upper floors.
Damaged dykes in Pathum Thani’s Sam Khok district pose a flood threat to the Klong Luang area of Pathum Thani, Talaad Thai, a major market for agricultural produce and Thammasat University’s Rangsit campus, which is now a temporary shelter for flood victims. About 1,000 people affected by flood have moved in.
In Ayutthaya, the province has been turned into sea of water, the amount of flood water did not increase on Tuesday morning. Officials are inspecting homes to help some residents who may still be stranded in their homes after most people have been evacuated. Ayutthaya city hall is under 30 centimetres of water.
In Nonthaburi, some parts of Bang Bua Thong Hospital have been flooded after a temporary dyke surrounding the hospital failed, causing water to overflow into the hospital premises. Dr Praputh Leelaprit, hospital director, said that vehicles cannot enter the compound, but so far the floodwater has not penetrated the hospital’s major zones.
The hospital earlier had braced for a possible flood, Dr Praputh explained, adding that the electrical system and other related facilities continued operating normally. Currently, the Outpatient Department and Emergency Department were temporarily moved to Bang Bua Thong municipal office for proper operations and service.
The hospital has coordinated with nearby hospitals and mapped out a plan to transfer patients to other hospitals if the flood situation worsens, the director said, adding that the hospital stockpiled dried food and drinking water to provide for the patients, enough to last a month.
