Bangkok Thailand and its North East region of "Issan" are bracing for heavy rains and flooding
This article from this mornings "The Nation"
Tropical depression already drenching parts of Northeast
BANGKOK: -- Authorities have identified 37 flood-prone spots in Bangkok in the face of a coming tropical depression.
The depression, which entered Thailand's Northeast yesterday morning, is expected to reach the Central region today. It is expected to bring rain.
Traffic Police chief Pol Maj-General Piya Tavichai yesterday said Bangkok residents should avoid all of the 37 flood-prone spots, if possible, during heavy downpours.
Among these spots are a portion of Rajavithi Road between Suan Dusit Rajabhat University and the Krung Thon Buri Bridge; a portion of Phya Thai Road in front of the Livestock Development Department; and a stretch of Ratchadaphisek Road in front of Robinson Department Store.
Sanya Chenimit, deputy permanent secretary of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), said some of the capital's low-lying spots had already been drained in preparation for possible rain.
Based on what he has seen so far, Sanya expects the coming depression to affect the city only indirectly.
"It may cause light rain, but will not bring any serious downpours," he said.
As part of the preparations, Sanya said officials had been instructed to conduct constant checks to ensure that no garbage blocked drainage pipes. Clogged pipes are often blamed for flooding.
He added that people could ease the problem of clogged pipes by putting garbage into bins.
In a separate interview, PM Yingluck Shinawatra emphasised the need for the BMA to dredge canals and drainage pipes.
"I don't want to see the BMA [waiting to] talk about drainage until upstream run-off water has already arrived," she said.
She said the central government had worked hard on managing water volumes in upstream and midstream areas so as to minimise the impacts on Bangkok.
At the peak of the 2011 flood crisis, the central government and the BMA quarrelled over how best to manage the water volume. The floods submerged some parts of the capital.
Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department director-general Chatchai Phromlert said the depression would increase rainfall in Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, Ubon Ratchathani, Yasothon, Roi Et, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Sa Kaew, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat during the next two days.
"We are now paying close attention to risky areas such as at the foot of mountains and low-lying areas," he said.
Meanwhile, downpours continued in many parts of Phitsanulok yesterday.
The province's Disaster Prevention and Mitigation office warned people in Wang Thong, Nakhon Thai, Chat Trakan, Wat Bote and Noen Maprang districts to beware of possible flash floods and landslides.
Phitsanulok is among the flood-prone provinces that Yingluck has expressed concerns about.
-- The Nation 2013-09-20
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