Bangkok braces as floodwaters rise

Riverside residential areas in Bangkok and other central provinces are at risk of flash flooding due to seasonally high tides.

The Chao Phraya in Bangkok was expected to reach this year's peak at around 8.30pm last night. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration said preventive measures were in place for 27 communities in 13 districts located outside the flood embankment wall.

In Pathum Thani, north of Bangkok, the Chao Phraya rose yesterday to flood a number of schools, along with residential areas in Somkhok district.

In Phitchit and Phitsanulok provinces, flooding from the Yom and Nan rivers is still affecting many residents, but they have received food supplies and shelter.

A meeting of relevant agencies in Phitsanulok yesterday heard plans to overcome annual flooding in the Yom and Nan rivers basins which will require a budget of Bt3.23 billion.

In the long-term plan, a large number of reservoirs and dams will be built in provinces located in both river basins. The plan is part of an overall national water and flood management plan covering 25 river basins throughout the country.

The controversial Kaeng Sua Ten dam, planned in Phrae province's Song district was not discussed at the meeting, although Phitsanulok residents who face seasonal stagnant flooding demanded that it be built.

Ranong and Phang Nga provinces in the South are also facing flash floods. The provincial relief agency said flooding in Ranong should ease in three days if there is no more heavy rain.

Survival kits and relief supplies were presented by Their Royal Highnesses Princesses Somsavali and Bajra Kitiyabha to flood-affected residents in Phang Nga, where two people have drowned and 26,480 people living in 6,893 households have been affected.

An official flood-damage update released yesterday said 55 people had drowned and one person was still missing, while 11 provinces remained inundated out of a total of 36 provinces affected.

The risk of mudslides in mountainous areas and flash flooding in low-lying or riverside and coastal areas across the country remains constant, the update said.