10 more factories inundated in Pathum Thani
Raging torrents yesterday broke into an area of the Nava Nakorn Industrial Estate in Pathum Thani, submerging about 10 more factories.
As of press time, the government’s Flood Relief Operation Centre (FROC) confirmed that Phase 1 of Nava Nakorn Industrial Estate had been inundated, with the water level ranging between 1.5 and 2 metres.
Because flood water was also threatening to breach the flood barriers in other phases of the estate, all factories there were ordered to suspend operations and their workers to leave for evacuation centres immediately.
FROC spokesman Wim Rungwattanajinda, however, insisted that operations to save other parts of the estate would continue.
He said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra had instructed the Army to erect another barrier to protect other parts of the industrial estate.
Helicopters were yesterday deployed in placing containers at spots needed to stop the raging flood water from causing more havoc.
Yingluck said the government would consider remedial measures for affected businesses, and blamed heavy rainfall for the crumbling floodwall at the estate.
“We had prepared to deal with run-off water and the high tide, but there was a cloudburst, too. With so much water, the torrents proved too powerful for the floodwall to defend,” she said.
However, the prime minister said she had assigned the military to ensure that all floodwalls along the capital’s shared borders with other provinces were strong enough.
“We will do our best to protect Thailand’s capital,” Yingluck said, urging everyone to cooperate with officials in the flood-prevention efforts.
The 24/7 Emergency Operations Centre for Flood, Storm and Landslide said the severe flooding continued to wreak havoc in 27 provinces.
As of yesterday, the flood-related death toll had risen to 307, with at least three others reported missing.
Deputy national police commissioner General Pongsapat Pongcharoen assured people that police would keep an eye on their flooded homes if they had to leave the properties.
He made the statement after many flood victims continued to refuse to leave their seriously inundated homes out of concern over theft.
“We will protect your belongings,” he said.
