Tropical storms likely to bring floods next month
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[li]Published: 25/07/2010 at 12:00 AM[/li][li]Newspaper section: News[/li][/ul]
Bangkok should brace for floods next month when it is expected to take a hit from tropical storms, the Meteorological Department says.
Angsumal Sunalai, the department’s chief, said Thailand is forecast to be in the paths of several tropical storms next month.
The heavy rains forecast in many parts of the country next month could ease drought in some areas, but could also cause widespread flooding, particularly in Bangkok.
Mr Angsumal said Bangkok and surrounding provinces should prepare for a major inundation. Continued heavy rains could cause dams to release waters into rivers, where rising water levels could hamper drainage in Bangkok.
Low-lying areas in the capital would be vulnerable, Mr Angsumal said.
Sanya Chenimit, director of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Department of Drainage and Sewerage, said floods are likely if rainfall exceeds the city’s capacity to siphon out water.
He said that from the beginning of July until July 22, rainfall had reached 405.5 millimetres, the highest amount of rainfall in 30 years.
Average rainfall for July typically stands at 160mm.
Mr Sanya said that if rainfall in Bangkok in the first 15 to 30 minutes exceeds 60mm an hour, it can trigger flooding that would take up to two hours to drain.
Mr Sanya said the city has 157 water pumping stations and 541 mobile water pumps ready at its disposal.
He said there are many flood-prone areas in Bangkok such as Bang Khun Thian Road, the St Louis area, Sathu Pradit Road, Phahon Yothin Road (from Khlong Sam Sen to Khlong Bang Su), Soi LaSalle, Sukhumvit Soi 39 and Sukhumvit Soi 49.
His primary concern, however, is the Ratchadaphisek-Lat Phrao intersection, which he said is most at risk from flooding as many nearby buildings in the area obstruct the channels that help drain water.
Mr Sanya said that in the future the BMA plans to improve the water drainage system in the area, including the construction of a water tunnel, which would cost about 2.5 billion baht.bron:http://www.bangkokpost.com