In an effort to prevent repeated flooding in Bangkok, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) yesterday held meeting with authorities from five surrounding provinces to map out water management plan and preventive measures as heavy rains have been forecast during the forthcoming rainy season.
The surrounding provinces include Nonthaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Chachoengsao, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan.
Highlight of the issues discussed was the flooding on Ngamwongwan Road in Chinnakhet 2 area where residents have repeatedly suffered flooding when the rainy season arrives.
This area is the connecting point between Bangkok and Nonthaburi province and it is one of the four connecting points that are under special attention when there is heavy rain.
The four connecting points that are the flood risk locations are Sukhumvit Road at Bearing BTS skytrain station at Soi LaSalle; Pahonyothin Road, between Sear Rangsit Department Store to Lam Luk Ka intersection; Chaeng Wattana Road, from Khlong Prapa canal to the Government Complex; and Ngamwongwan Road, from Soi Chinnakhet 2 to Khlong Prapa canal.
The meeting discussed plan to integrate action to fight against flooding.
After over three hours of discussion, Bangkok governor Pol Gen Aswin Kwanmuang said the meeting concluded that the agencies concerned will urgently prepare the readiness by cleaning the drainage system at the small roads which should be finished by July.
The operation should be launched to open the water flowing by getting rid of the weed along waterways and dredge the canals. The operation should be finished this month.
He said the meeting also agreed to deploy 1,500 water pumps at the flood risk areas, to inspect the four giant flood tunnels, making them ready to use
In addition rapid response units at 108 locations will be set up and flood prevention and response centre will be open to distribute flood information for 24 hours.
BMA is confident that the Bangkok residents will suffer less flood impact when compare with the previous years, he said.
The deputy governor of Nonthaburi province admitted that Ngamwongwan area is the most worrisome as the area is inundated when there is heavy rain.
He said It normally takes half day to drain the floodwater but at present the authorities take only two hours to drain the floodwater.
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