BANGKOK, Sept 28 – The eastern side of Bangkok is at risk of flooding, as large volumes of waters from northern dams have been released, according to Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paripatra.
Mr Sukhumbhand made inspection trips to Prawet canal, sluice gate and water pumping station, and Lat Krabang sluice gate yesterday.
He said the situation in Bangkok remained stable but he was concerned about waters from the North which would flow to the eastern side of Bangkok through Klong 3 and Klong Rapeepat in Pathum Thani which were flooded every year.
He said Prawet sluice gate was raised from one metre to 1.5 metres and another water gate was also opened by 30 cm to drain out waters from eastern Bangkok.
Officials in flood-prone districts were instructed to prepare sandbags to prevent flooding and help people in flood-hit areas, he said.
He said the BMA would closely monitor the situation in light of the weather bureau’s forecast about rainfalls this weekend and early next month, but the situation is so far less severe than in 2011.
The water in Pa Sak Cholasit dam has increased by over 70 per cent and it continues to rain in the Central region, he said. Water from Pa Sak Cholasit dam flows into rivers and canals which run through the Central Plains.
In Bangkok, Prawet and Phra Khanong canals are two significant draining outlets to the Chao Phraya River. Phra Khanong water pumping station releases 215 cubic metres of water per second into Bang Pakong River of Chachoengsao province.
