BMA ready with plan to evacuate parts of capital

A plan to evacuate people from 13 districts and eastern zones of Bangkok located outside flood barriers has been prepared by city officials, who warned yesterday that some parts of the city will be submerged by overflows from the Chao Phraya.

The weather bureau said yesterday a monsoon trough still covering the lower Central and Eastern region would develop into a low-pressure cell in the centre of the South China Sea.

Also, a moderate southwesterly monsoon covered the Andaman Sea, the South and the Gulf of Thailand. These conditions had caused torrential rain in the Central area, including Bangkok and nearby provinces, as well as the East and upper South.

Eastern parts of Bangkok likely to be flooded are Min Buri, Nong Chok, Lat Krabang and Klong Sam Wa.

The 13 districts at risk are Bang Sue, Dusit, Phra Nakhon, Samphan Thawong, Bang Kholaem, Yannawa, Klong Toei, Bang Plat, Bangkok Noi, Thon Buri, Klong San, Rat Burana and Thawee Wattana.

Some nine canals in the capital would also be flooded, the National Disaster Warning Centre also warned.

The centre reported that the level of water in Bangkok was rising drastically, especially in Klong Bang Phrom, Klong Bang Wak, Klong Prem Prachakorn, Klong Lat Phrao, Pak Klong Talad, Klong Bang Sue, and Klong Maha Sawas.

Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said yesterday that torrential rain had caused flooding in 17 areas across Bangkok. Ratchadaphisek Road was the hardest hit area. "We will still handle the flood situation in Bangkok," he assured.

Following yesterday's Bangkok Metropolitan Administration meeting on evacuation, Sukhumbhand announced that he had prepared evacuation plans for various areas because the situation might worsen during October 16-18 when high tides could combine with northern runoffs.

Officials have worked out details of evacuation regarding shelters, food supplies, pet keeping, clothing as well as the post-flood rehabilitation especially the mental health. The criteria included an immediate evacuation in case of a life-threatening situation or a very high water level that caused people to be unable to maintain their daily lifestyle, he said. The governor urged people not to panic over rumours and said he would report on the flood situation twice a day.

The level of water around the intersection between Ratchada and Lat Phrao was 30cm to 40cm deep, which paralysed traffic in the area.

Other areas affected were Ratchayothin intersection, Lat Phrao intersection, Lat Phrao Soi 22, Ngam Wong Wan Road, Kaset intersection, Pradit Manoo Tham Road, Phaholyothin, Srinakarin Road and Nawamin Road.

BMA officials used pumps to drain excess water from the roads, which was funnelled to the Rama IV-Ramkhamhaeng water tunnel.