Bangkok explains measures to cope with water from the north and rainwater, reveals that overall, it can still cope with water from the north and is continuously monitoring. It is expected that water from Sukhothai will enter Bangkok in 6 days. The embankment along the Chao Phraya River will be higher than in 2011 and is ready to cope.
Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt, Governor of Bangkok, announced in a press conference that Bangkok is concerned about the amount of rainwater because if it accumulates to 200 millimeters, there will be a problem because the drainage pipes are designed to hold about 60 millimeters. As for the water above, the overall amount of water is not a concern. It should still be able to hold it, but we must not be careless. I would like the public to be assured that the overall situation is not a repeat of 2011, in which Bangkok is concerned about the amount of heavy rain in some areas and areas that may not be able to drain in time.
Mr. Wisanu Traisompol, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, along with
the Drainage and Sewerage Department and related parties revealed the preparation for the situation of water from the north and rainwater in Bangkok. He said that the BMA has been monitoring the situation and coordinating information with related agencies, such as the Royal Irrigation Department, the National Water Command Center, and the Office of National Water Resources, on a regular basis, to prepare for the water situation that may result in flooding in some areas of Bangkok.
The water situation of the 4 main dams in the Chao Phraya River Basin, namely Bhumibol Dam, Sirikit Dam, Kwae Noi Dam, and Pasak Dam, compared on the same day and time (25 Aug 2023 and 25 Aug 2024), it was found that this year is better and can still accommodate more water. However, it is necessary to closely monitor and follow the mass of water coming from the Yom River, which will not flow into the main dams and be discharged into the Chao Phraya River.
The water mass is currently flowing down to Sukhothai Province and is expect
ed to reach Bangkok in approximately 6 days (2 Sept. 2024). The water discharge rate that needs to be monitored before reaching Bangkok is at Bang Sai Station. The water discharge rate at Bang Sai Station on 26 August 2024 averaged 989 cubic meters/second, with the water discharge rate that needs to be monitored at 2,500 cubic meters/second.
The Deputy Governor of Bangkok also revealed that he has prepared for water management and various flood prevention systems and has inspected the strength and leakage points of the flood prevention lines along the Chao Phraya River, Khlong Bangkok Noi, and Khlong Maha Sawat, approximately 80 kilometers long. Since 2011, permanent water barriers along the Chao Phraya River have been reinforced to a height of 2.80-3.50 m. MSL, and sandbags have been arranged as temporary dams in areas where there are no permanent water barriers (gaps) and areas with low water barriers at various points. He has also inspected the readiness of 96 water pumping stations along the Chao Phraya
River and water pumping ponds along both sides of the Chao Phraya River during high tide, and has arranged personnel to monitor the areas, provide backup water pumps, water push boats, sandbags, and has prepared emergency mobile response officers and equipment to be ready to operate and help people in the area immediately when flooding occurs 24 hours a day.
For communities outside the Chao Phraya River embankment, totaling 16 communities, 731 households in 7 districts, which may be affected and suffering from flooding, the district offices of Dusit, Phra Nakhon, Samphanthawong, Bang Kho Laem, Yannawa, Bangkok Noi, and Khlong San have been ordered to inform the communities and prepare to move belongings to higher ground if the water level rises. In addition, the district offices along the Chao Phraya River have been ordered to survey the houses of the people and prepare personnel to help the people in emergencies promptly.
While the amount of rainfall in the Bangkok area in 2024 was found to be 208.5 millim
eters in August, less than 2023, which was 224 millimeters, and the accumulated rainfall in 2024 was 842.5 millimeters, similar to 2023, which was 811.50 millimeters. The rain situation in August showed that Bangkok was ready in terms of equipment and personnel, as well as the readiness of floodgates and embankments along the river to cope with rainwater, water from the north, and seawater that occurred.
By coping with the rainy situation of Bangkok that has been continuously carried out, that is, reducing the water level to support the rain situation, draining water in the canals, creating a water bank, monkey cheeks, preparing the drainage system by cleaning and maintaining the drainage tunnel, water gates and pumping stations, 100% complete at every point, including preparing equipment and personnel, causing the flooding after heavy rain this year to decrease quickly.
After the announcement, the BMA took a boat to inspect the readiness of the flood protection line along the Chao Phraya River from the tou
rist pier under the Somdet Phra Pin Klao Bridge in Phra Nakhon District to Wat Sroi Thong in Bang Sue District to see the strength of the BMA’s flood barrier reinforcement to support the flood situation.
Source: Thai News Agency