Many parts of Thailand are still struggling to cope with the huge amounts of rainfall seen over the last few days, in particular the north eastern provinces of Surin and Si Sa Ket where 9 people have died in the flood waters.
Thailand’s Meteorological Department has forecast further heavy rains for the rest of September, particularly in the country’s northern provinces. However, Thailand’s authorities believe the flooding will only be about a third of the 2011 floods.
Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi, who is also chairman of the Thailand’s Water and Flood Management Commission (WFMC) said:
“This year’s flooding should about a third of that suffered two years ago because the water inundating many areas is the result of heavier than expected rain, not a mass of water”.
“I believe the government is capable of controlling the water situation”
Authorities now face the difficult task of managing the high water levels of rivers and drainage canals effectively so as to reduce the risks of flooding. In preparation for rising river levels, water is currently being released from the Chao Phraya Dam in Chai Nat and Pimai Dam in Nakhon Ratchasima. This may have consequences for areas below the dams, although the authorities were confident that action now would see improvements within 3 days, as long as there is no further rainfall.
Meanwhile, Somsak Khaosuwan, head of Thailand’s National Disaster Warning Centre (NDWC), said that he believes most of Bangkok is safe from flooding. Faster, better drainage has helped keep Chao Phraya River levels lower than expected. Only areas outside the flood barriers, such as Pak Kret and Rangsit are considered to be at risk.
Further rain and storms are forecast to hit Bangkok in the next few days, but Somsak believes the city’s flood defences can deal with it:
“The overall situation is very different from the floods in 2011 as the volume of water is smaller. You can be at ease because there’ll be no flooding in Bangkok this year. Even if two storms are approaching, we’ll be able to handle them.”
Sources: Bangkok Post
