The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has been warned that it will face legal action if it fails to act on Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s instructions for flood prevention measures.
Science Minister Plodprasob Surassawadee yesterday said that the dredging of canals and ditches in Bangkok is behind schedule, The Nation reported.
“Article 31 of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Act requires all agencies to take orders from the prime minister,” said Mr. Plodprasop, who is also chair of the Water and Flood Management Committee.
Dredging of small canals and ditches in the capital was supposed to be completed by June 30, however the BMA has failed to finish on time, he said.
The opposition Democrat Party controls the BMA.
However, Mr. Plodprasop said he was confident that Bangkok and surrounding industrial estates would be protected from flooding this year as there will be less rainfall and many flood-prevention projects have been completed. He added that the height of the earthen embankment along the Chao Phraya river will be heightened.
