Bangkok flood will drain off 'in a few days'

The flooding in eastern Bangkok will drain off in a few more days, provided it does not rain again, government spokesman Ekkapob Pianpises said on Tuesday.

He said the city is using its full drainage capacity of 51 million cubic metres a day, and no more rain is forecast for the capital in the immediate future.

“Rain continues in upper regions of Thailand, above dams which can still hold much more water… Although the Chao Phraya barrage may speed up its discharge rate, Bangkok is protected by the embankments along the Chao Phraya River,” Mr Ekkapob said.

Six roads in eastern Bangkok remained impassable for small vehicles - Ramkhamhaeng 24, Srinagarindra, Nawamin, Lat Phrao (from Lat Phrao 101 to Bang Kapi intersection), Suwinthawong and Pattanakan 53 roads, the government spokesman said.

Heavily flooded areas remained in Khlong Chan sub-district in Bang Kapi district and Kheha Romklao community of Lat Krabang district, with about 50,000 victims in total. Deep floodwater was becoming polluted with accumulated garbage. Local people still faced shortages of food and drinking water.

Residents could not wade through chest-deep floods to go to work, and their parked cars were under water at their homes.

Deputy spokeswoman Lalida Persvivatana said flood levels were deep in three areas of Bangkok: 25-30 centimetres at Kheha Ram Intra community (in Bang Khen district) and 1-1.5m in Kheha Khlong Chan (Bang Kapi district) and Kheha Romkhlao (in Lat Krabang district).

“There are some technical problems with flood drainage, but the task should be completed in a few days,” she said.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said he was concerned about flood drainage in Lat Krabang district because it was deep inside the winding Prawet Burirom Canal extending from the Chao Phraya River.

He was also worried about flood drainage in Sai Mai district, which was receiving floodwater from Pathum Thani province.

The governor expected 90% of the water would be drained off the main roads in Bangkok in two days. Drainage on minor roads would take longer, and in flooded low-lying communities it could take a week, he said.

He said he was concerned about flood drainage on Ramkhamhaeng, Nawamin and Seri Thai roads which stand near the Saen Saep Canal.