Bangkok at risk of floods over next two weeks

The high tides were likely to exacerbate flooding in many Central provinces in the Chao Phraya basin while drainage at major water gateways was at its highest capacity, he said.
Tropical storm Nalgae was expected to cause heavy rain across Thailand, but perhaps just light rain in the Central region. It should not cause a heavy increase in floodwater, so the situation in Bangkok should ease.
Banharn Silapa-archa, chief adviser to the Chat Thai Pattana Party, and Theera, called a meeting of ministry and Royal Irrigation Department officials and urged them to repair Bal Chomsri and Phra Ngarm water gates within seven days.
Banharn reportedly complained about a recent protest which blocked a main road in Sing Buri led by Pheu Thai MP Payap Panket against the closure of a floodgate, which benefited Sing Buri residents but caused flooding in Suphan Buri, Banharn’s political base.
He publicly criticised Payap, who allegedly told people at several locations he was the reason there was no flooding in Bangkok but everywhere else was under water.
Theera later attended a House session to explain the government’s flood moves in an impromptu motion in Parliament, while Banharn said he merely attended the RID’s flood meeting and had not issued instructions on flood management.
Banharn told reporters to report his involvement with the Irrigation Department “the right way”, or he would face editorials from those who reported something else. His statement was deemed intimidating by some writers, who showed open frustration during the press conference.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration  has opened a flood relief centre in preparation for anticipated flooding in eastern districts of Min Buri and Nong Chok. The centre welcomes calls for help and will coordinate help and relief with the 1555 hotline centre.
Deputy Bangkok governor Phornthep Techapaibul said the flood situation around the capital was not worrying, as the peak level now was 1.9 metres while barriers could handle up to 2.5 metres.
In the North yesterday, a one-metre flash flood left runways at Lampang airport underwater and forced a flight to land in Chiang Mai. Some 70 passengers had to be taken to Lampang on buses, while a Bangkok-bound flight was cancelled.
A weather forecast yesterday predicted widespread heavy rain on Thursday and Friday, but said downpours were likely to peak in Lamphun and Loei in the North, Nakhon Ratchasima in the Northeast, Trat in the East, and Ranong and Phang Nga on the southwest coast. Yesterday total flood-related deaths were put at 212 with two people missing. Over 2.4 million people in 746,999 households in 25 provinces and 179 districts had been affected.
Further flooding was tipped in provinces already affected – in areas close to major rivers, such as Suphan Buri, Nakhon Pathom and Prachin Buri in the Central region; and Buri Ram, Roi Et, Si Sa Ket, Kalasin, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham and Surin in the Northeast.