Water level in three canals of Bangkok worrying
The water level in khlong Lat Phrao, Premprachakorn and Saen Saeb has reached a worrying level due to yesterday's heavy rain. It has risen an average of 20 cm. The municipality is working hard to drain the water from the khlong Saen Saeb in particular to the river Chao Praya.
The eastern and northern districts of Bangkok were particularly hard hit by the rain: Nong Chok, Min Buri, Klong Sam Wa, Sai Mai, Don Muang, Lat Krabang, Kannayao and Prawet.
The culprit was Typhoon Nari, which made landfall in Da Nang in Vietnam yesterday. In Thailand, the typhoon had meanwhile weakened to a low pressure area, which passed over Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen and Ubon Ratchathani. Other counties in the East, Northeast and Central Plains were also affected.
Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra inspected the water level in the Saen Saeb Canal in Nong Chok and Min Buri districts yesterday. He also visited some residential areas in the east of the city that are under water.
The situation in the East has deteriorated. Not only did Nari provide more rain, but there is also 1,5 million cubic meters of water that must be drained to the Pakong River. The ever-optimistic minister Plodprasop Suraswadi, chairman of the Water and Flood Management Commission, now expects it to take at least 45 days for all the water to be drained.
In the eastern province of Chachoengsao, the Wellgrow industrial estate has been flooded. The water reached a height of 30 to 50 cm. Some roads in Muang district are impassable.
The Meteorological Department predicts scattered downpours for today in Bangkok, the Central Plains, the East and the lower Northeast, particularly in Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Surin, Si Sa Ket and Ubon Ratchathani provinces.
(Source: Bangkok Post, October 17, 2013)
Photos: Fallen tree yesterday morning on Ploenchit road in Bangkok.
A few questions that just pop into my mind:
1. where is the national crisis center?
2. who is in charge of the aid?
3. where is the prime minister?
4. why are areas not designated as disaster areas?
5. On which TV channel can I find information about the situation a few times a day?
6. on which website are substantiated predictions about the water levels of the coming days, per area please (I live close to the Chao Phraya)?
7. where can I help and with what?
8. which roads are impassable?
9. should I prepare to stay at home for a few days?
10. What is the message to tourists who enter Thailand every day for a sunny holiday?
11. where are the international water experts who might be able to help?
12. what is the advice for people whose house has been flooded?
13. where are the army trucks and boats?
14. What will be done against the Thai who abuse the situation?
Chris,
Surely you should know the answer to all these - otherwise valid - questions. Namely: there is no (!) body that works overarching. Because the problem will eventually solve itself, because the sun and therefore the stopping of the rain will quickly make everyone forget.