Drainage slow, but no risk of fresh flooding, says governor

The flood is draining slowly in eastern Bangkok, but the good news is forecasts indicate there is no immediate risk of fresh flooding from rain or the runoff-surge coming from the North, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said on Sunday.

He said drainage was slow in Lat Krabang, Rom Klao and Saphan Sung districts because the water level in Khlong Prawet Burirom remained high. It is the main drainage outlet in eastern Bangkok.

The city's drainage and sewerage department said on Sunday the canal's level remained critically high. The water must travel many kilometres to reach the Chao Phraya River or empty into the Gulf through the Bang Pakong River.

Mr Chadchart said pumps were draining flooded communities in the eastern districts. He said drainage was difficult in many housing estates.

The Kheha Rom Khlao community in Lat Krabang district covered about 3.2 square kilometres, he said, and drainage would speed up from Monday on. 

Asked about the forecast heavy rain over the next few days, Mr Chadchart said City Hall would drain all canals as much as possible ahead of time.

The forecast was for about 30 millimetres of raiin in Bangkok. It would be normal monsoon rain, far less than the 300mm that caused the latest flooding, he said.

The city governor sought to allay concerns about the annual flood surge from the North approachiing Bangkok down the Chao Phraya River. He said it was at normal levels this year and was manageable.