There’s No Stopping the Rain in Bangkok

Continuous flooding from the North and Northeast areas of Thailand have caused the water level of the Chayo Phraya River to rise 20-30 centimeters. With almost 2500 cubic meters of water overflowing from the river dam, parts of Bangkok are now severely flooded.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has piled up 4.2 million sandbags to build a seven kilometer long flood barrier on both sides of the river where permanent flood barriers are yet to be built, in hopes of easing the amount of water entering the city.

The sandbags were not very effective as the 148 millimeters of rain were too much for the drainage system to handle, resulting in many of Bangkok’s roads ending up under thirty centimeters of water. BMA governor Mr. Sukhumbhand Paribatra said that the area in front of Central Bangna and the Sri Nakarin Road are now severely flooded. He said that the permanent flood barrier should be built by late next year.

“There are 28 communities in nine districts in Bangkok which are at high risk. We have set up a flood information center where victims can call: 1555; 24 hours a day, seven days week,” added Mr. Paribatra.