Flood toll rises to seven
Heavy flooding in the Central and Northeast regions has claimed two more lives, in Lop Buri, raising the death toll from the most severe flooding in decades to seven this week.
The flood surge moving down the Chao Phraya river is expected to reach the capital tomorrow evening, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration department of drainage and sewerage director Sanya Chenimit said on Tuesday.
Mr Sanya said about 2,600 cubic metres of water per second was being released from Pa Sak Jolasid Dam into the Chao Phraya. The rate was not worrying and there had been no complaints from people living along the river yet.
“The river’s level in the capital will likely reach its highest point tomorrow around 5pm when it will be flowing at a rate of 3,313 cubic metres per second,” he said.
The BMA has instructed 13 districts along the Chao Phraya to warn 1,300 households in 27 communities to stay alert for possible problems around the clock.
Sandbag embankments were in place along the river’s banks and officials had four million more sandbags prepared if needed, he said.
“The situation should be manageable and not worrying since the amount of water in the pumping stations in Bangkok was reduced before the heavy rainfall began,” Mr Sanya said.
He said the BMA had worked with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation in building wooden bridges to make movement easier for people living near the river. Medical supplies had been prepared for flood-risk areas.
Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij said the cabinet has given the green light for governors in flood-hit provinces to draw on unlimited funding to help suffering residents.
“The Finance Ministry will allocate an emergency budget for provincial governors. They can withdraw more than 50 million baht,” Mr Korn said.
Nakhon Ratchasima, the province hardest hit by floods, had already asked for 100 million baht. If the province wanted more money the ministry was ready to help, he said.
“Many provinces still want to buy boats to help with the evacuation of trapped residents and the Finance Ministry is ready to listen to the provincial governors’ requests,” the minister said.
Interior deputy permanent secretary Surapol Pongtadsirikul said the ministry has ordered the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department and related agencies to set up a special centre to assist people facing problems from the severe flooding in the Northeast.
A special centre has also been set up in Nakhon Ratchasima province, which has been badly hit by floods.
The ministry has sent rescue units and medical teams into the area to provide assistance, he said. Clean water and other necessities have been given to the flood victims, and mobile toilets and temporary tents have been set up to help them.
Mr Surapol said the government will provide financial aid to people affected by flood – funeral assistance up to 25,000 baht for grieving families and cash payments of 20,000 to 30,000 baht to those whose houses are damaged.
Transport Minister Sohpon Zarum said damage to roads by caused by heavy floods is estimated at one billion baht and damage to rail tracks at 17 to 18 million baht.
The ministry would cover the cost of repairs from its existing budget and would not have to wait for cabinet approval.
As of this morning, all train services had resumed except the Bangkok-Nong Khai route. The Nong Khai service was expected to return to normal this afternoon with the help of repair crews from the Highways Department, the minister said.
Mr Sohpon said he had ordered the Transport Company to coordinate with the State Railway of Thailand to speed up transporting passengers between trouble spots.
A call centre, number 1156, had been opened to take complaints.
Mobile units had been put on alert around the clock at all risk spots along flooded highways to provide assistance for travellers in trouble and repair broken down vehicles, he said.
The Provincial Electricity Authority announced that it needed to cut electricity supplies to areas severely affected by flooding for the safety of the people.
PEA said in a statement that it had sent necessities and relief supplies to people in flooded areas.
Those who need further assistance or information on electricity in their areas can call the PEA call centre at 1129
Bron: bangkokpost 19-10-2010
