Bangkok to be flooded

Updated: 21 October 2011

From a 90% chance of no flood in Bangkok yesterday, seems that we are going to a 90% chance that Bangkok will be flooded as the City Hall agreed today to open the canals for drainage - 21 October 2011.

The floods are the worst that Thailand met in at least 5 decades. It is estimated that  water will flow into the Bangkok city area tonight (Friday). Government is trying to channel it out to the sea through the eastern and western outskirts of the capital.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has agreed to help drain northern runoff into the sea through the city's canals as parts of Don Muang and Laksi districts were declared flood-risk zones yesterday.
Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra last night issued a flood warning to residents in Thung Si Kan and Don Muang subdistricts in Don Muang district and Thung Song Hong subdistrict in Laksi district.

It is the second warning from the governor in addition to the first order made on Wednesday to seven other districts, but the previous warning was for people to relocate their belongings to high ground only.

He advised people in the three subdistricts to take shelter at Wat Donmuang, Prachautid, Wat Welu Wanaram, Bumrungrawiwanwittaya, Prempracha, and Phahon Yothin schools in Don Muang and Tungsonghong Witthaya, Bangkhen, Kehatungsonghong Witthaya, Wat Laksi and Kankahathasai schools in Laksi.

The governor said the second warning was in response to water overflowing along Khlong Prapa and leaks in barriers in Laksi.

Bangkok draining out map

The announcement came hours after City Hall and the goverment agreed to a plan to drain the northern runoff through Bangkok's canals.

MR Sukhumbhand said yesterday that all the flood gates in Bangkok had been opened to accommodate the government's flood management plan.

A lot of people choose to park the cars on the express ways for the fear of floods. 

This is taken near Rangsit market which is flooded

Previous days updates
1. Bangkok flooding unavoidable : http://my-asia-travels.blogspot.com/2011/10/bangkok-flooding-reported-as.html
2. Eastern Bangkok sacrificed : http://my-asia-travels.blogspot.com/2011/10/thailand-eastern-bangkok-sacrificed.html

Bangkok flooding reported as unavoidable

Bangkok flooding reported as unavoidable

Latest updates on the situation for Thursday, 20 October 2011, are saying that a vast amount of floodwater will definitely occupy Bangkok as several sections of the floodwall along the Raphipat canal have been damaged. This comes from a Royal Irrigation Department (RID) engineering division chief for Northern Rangsit.

There were cracks from the first to the fifth canal and floodwaters had already surged into Pathum Thani's Khlong Luang and Thanyaburi districts, RID officials said.

"The water will certainly reach Bangkok because the barricades surrounding the Chulalongkorn floodgate are not as strong as the dykes at Raphipat." 
Mr. Chuchart said.

News coming in at around 5:00PM Bangkok time says different tho in regards to Bangkok flooding.


About 90 per cent of Bangkok will not be flooded, Justice Minister and Flood Relief Operations Centre director Pracha P. said on Thursday afternoon.

"I'm confident that 90 per cent of Bangkok will not be flooded but authorities will continue monitoring the remaining 10 per cent of the capital city."

"After overseeing the flood situation from helicopter this morning, the situation remains stable," Pol Gen Pracha said after visiting a temporary shelter in Don Mueang airport.

The people living in the inner Bangkok should not be worried about the flooding.



* Eastern Bangkok sacrificed: http://my-asia-travels.blogspot.com/2011/10/thailand-eastern-bangkok-sacrificed.html

* Previous days updates and maps are here: http://my-asia-travels.blogspot.com/2011/10/thailand-capital-bangkok-flooded-19-oct.html

Thailand Eastern Bangkok sacrificed flooded - October 2011

Eastern Bangkok sacrificed

Updated: 20.Oct.2011
In order to try to save the economic heart of the capital from flooding, the government has finally opted to use the eastern part of Bangkok to drain massive amounts of floodwaters from the northern outskirts. The drainage of floodwaters through eastern Bangkok will affect seven of its districts, namely Sai Mai, Klong Sam Wa, Kannayao, Min Buri, Lat Krabang, Bang Khen and Nong Chok.

All six districts of Nonthaburi province are now flooded with Bang Bua Thong and Pak Kret districts being the worst hit. I know people living around Bang Bua Tong and they are staying in the houses at the second floor as the first floor is all flooded. Some were more lucky and took the value objects up to the second floor, others just saw their kitchen and living rooms flooded with all the furniture and electronics in.

In regards to the drinking water The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority has declared tap water in the capital safe after failing to find hazardous chemicals that may have leaked from inundated industrial parks in Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani.

The most updated map is here below and it shows how the goverment plans to divert the water to East and West through 3 canals.

Bangkok flood - water redirection for saving Bangkok city

Bangkok - flood danger areas

Previous days updates and maps are here: http://my-asia-travels.blogspot.com/2011/10/thailand-capital-bangkok-flooded-19-oct.html

(These information comes from various sources that I read like newspapers and internet)