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Published on September 19, 2007

Deputy Bangkok Governor Bannasophit Mekwichai said following the King's instructions to BMA executives about the Chao Phya River basin management, the city would speed up talks with related agencies to ensure water sources were well managed.

The sluice gates would be opened and closed in line with the tide to allow natural water drainage. Although this was already being done, officials would be urged to be more observant as the tide was not at the same level at each spot.

Bannasophit quoted His Majesty as saying Bangkok was a vast area, connected to many provinces with crowded areas, so co-ordination among agencies was vital.

She said His Majesty also said effective management needed a good understanding of nature and to allow water to flow in the same direction rather than let it flow back and forth between areas. His Majesty also cited the royal-initiative Klong Lad Pho project that drained water into the sea.

Bannasophit said Bangkok had already received 1,300 cubic metres of rainfall compared to the average annual rainfall of 1,500 cubic metres. As there were still another two months of expected rain the city must be prepared to tackle flood conditions.

She said the recent floods in many city areas were due to heavy downpours and rising tides in waterways, preventing quick drainage. The opening of the Makkasan water drainage sewage system at the end of this month should help to reduce the problem.

A spokesman said BMA chiefs ordered the Drainage Department to work with 50 district offices to prepare for floods - as the weather bureau was predicting heavy downpours over the next two days.

The Nation