Bangkok deputy governor Wallop Suwandee on Wednesday said the city’s drainage capacity could not handle the amount of rain that fell over the weekend, and this resulted to the flooding in certain parts of Bangkok.
The city official made this statement in defense of Bangkok’s water systems, saying that the water tunnels, pumping stations and water gates had all functioned efficiently. Mr Wallop noted that the drainage capacity was only 60 mm of rainwater. However, due to the monsoon rains, it received 100 mm of rainfall this month.
As of press time, he added that the BMA has cleared out about 97 percent of the floods in the city; which reached 5 cms to 25 cms high in certain areas. Canal water levels have also been reduced as the city girds its loins for more rain in the days to come.
According to reports, deputy city clerk Jumpol Sampaopon said Bangkok is receding at a rate of 1 – 10 cm per year. The city, he said, is on a low-lying plain and is made up mostly of soft soil.
Bangkok Department of Corrections director-general Suchart Wong-anantchai at the same time announced that 1,000 inmates will be ready to help in dredging canals and cleaning out drains in inner Bangkok to help arrest flooding in the areas.
