The Flood Relief Operations Center is considering a plan to dig channels through roads in eastern Bangkok to allow the massive runoff from the north to drain out to the Gulf of Thailand.
The idea was put forth by engineers and water experts led by Toyota Motor Thailand vice chairman Ninnart Chaithirapinyo, according to the Bangkok Post, and would seek to reduce the threat of flooding in inner Bangkok. The group has come to the conclusion that five roads in eastern Bangkok – Pracha Ruam Jai, Rat Uthit Road, Suwinthawong Road, Nimitr Mai Road and Ruam Phattana Road – are blocking the runoff.
FROC meanwhile has set up evacuations shelters for Bangkok residents in nine provinces outside the capital the case of major flooding, the Bangkok Post has reported.
FROC spokesman Tongthong Chantarangsu said they were preparing for the worst case scenario. The provinces include Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Petchaburi, Chachoengsao, and Samut Sakhon.
Tongthong advises communities around Bangkok to set up meeting points for residents in the case of evacuation and said the FROC would issue advance warnings if areas were going to flood to give people time to leave. He said that at worst flooding in Bangkok could last for 15 to 30 days.
Don Mueang Airport is 85 percent flooded with about 50 centimeters of water and the FROC headquarters and evacuations center there experienced two blackouts yesterday due to flooding. Coconuts Bangkok’s story and photos on flooding situation in Don Mueang area yesterday is here.
Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra gave evacuation orders for the Taweewattana district yesterday Oct. 27, according to MCOT. Residents were advised to move to Puranwas Temple, which currently houses around 400 evacuees.
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Flooding in Don Mueang. Photo: Coconuts Bangkok
