Chao Phraya set to brim over

River likely to rise above embankment this weekend; decision on holidays not binding on private companies

The Chao Phraya River appears set to overflow in Bangkok this weekend as rising seawater levels add to the woes of the country's raging flood crisis.

To help current and potential flood victims in 21 affected provinces cope with the crisis, the Cabinet yesterday announced Thursday, Friday and next Monday as special holidays.

Bangkok is among these provinces.

"The Chao Phraya River's water level in Bangkok will likely rise to 2.6 metres [above normal sea level] over the coming weekend. It's going to be higher than the embankment," Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra said yesterday.

Sukhumband said the height of the permanent embankment along most parts of the Chao Phraya River stretch in Bangkok is now 2.5 metres. Some sandbags are being placed on top of the embankment to protect the capital from overflowing, but there is not enough time for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to construct the extra height needed along the 75.7km stretch.

"To cover the entire stretch, we will need up to 10 million sandbags," Sukhumbhand pointed out, "We will have to focus our efforts on the most vulnerable and key spots only."

The Bangkok governor urged people living near the mouth of canals connected to the Chao Phraya River such as Bangkok Noi, Bangkok Yai, and Padung Krungkasem to be on full alert.

Many areas of the capital have already been flooded, including the Vibhavadi Rangsit Road in Don Muang district where the Flood Relief Operations Centre (FROC) is located.

Sukhumbhand said the BMA, in collaboration with the Highways Department, would form floodwalls on top of Sai Mai, Hatairat, Hataimit, Nimitmai, Romklao and Kingkaew roads to protect inner parts of the capital.

These roads stretch a total of 39km and serve as an embankment against run-off water from the upper part of the country.

Sukhumbhand asked people to co-operate with officials in charge of floodwall construction. "Please have empathy for officials who have to work. Please be reasonable if you want to raise any objection," Sukhumbhand said.

Government Spokesman Thitima Chaisang said government officials from C-9 level up would be required to work during the upcoming holidays to keep services open.

"Officials in charge of water drainage, electricity, waterworks, and transport will have to stay on duty, too," she said.

The Cabinet resolution announcing special holidays came amid growing calls from several parties.

The holidays would not only give people time to prepare for the coming flood, but they would allow workers from the provinces to leave the capital ahead of the floods.

Private companies have not been ordered to declare the holidays but their executives have been urged to exercise discretion in deciding whether to give holidays to their staff.

The Education Ministry yesterday postponed the start of the new semester to November 15 in 12 flood-hit provinces.

They are Bangkok, Chai Nat, Nakhon Sawan, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Sing Buri, Angthong, Utai Thani, Saraburi and Chachoengsao.