Evacuations ordered as river seen surging

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) yesterday ordered the evacuation of all residents in Sai Mai district and some areas of Thawi Watthana district as rising floodwaters menaced the areas. 

“Within the next three to four days, we may need to order evacuations in more districts,” Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra said. 

He did not identify which areas would likely face evacuation orders next. 

On Wednesday night, the BMA had ordered people in Don Muang and Bang Phlat districts to evacuate. To date, official figures show some 7,503 Bangkok residents from 20 districts have been processed at evacuation centres in the capital. This is in addition to those Bangkokians who have escaped upcountry or abroad to evade the raging floods.

“The advice from academics that Bangkok residents head out to provinces over this long weekend is, I think, a good idea,” Sukhumbhand said yesterday. 

He said the level of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok could soar to 2.6 metres above normal this morning and water would spill into some areas of the capital. The permanent riverside embankment in Bangkok stands just 2.5 metres high but some areas have gained extra height with sandbagging. 

In addition to the high tide, there is a huge volume of run-off water on its way to Bangkok. Floodwater has already breached the capital, leaving many areas seriously flooded, including the road in front of Don Mueang Airport, where all commercial flights have been cancelled.

The section of Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road between Future Park Rangsit and the airport is closed to traffic. 

Other routes impassable to vehicles included Pinklao Bridge and Sirindhorn Road. In parts of Sai Mai Road, floodwater was chest-deep as of press time. 

Defence Minister General Yuthasak Sasiprapha said he was worried about the flood barrier along the Maha Sawas Canal, which was beginning to break and leak. 

“It’s crucial in protecting the western part of Bangkok,” he said. 

He said the Royal Thai Navy was now assigned to fix the problem and prevent a huge amount of water overflowing the Maha Sawas Canal into the Thawi Watthana Canal and then onto a railway. 

“We have to closely monitor the situation, and we have to prepare for evacuations too,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Mahidol University yesterday instructed all staff and students at Salaya Campus in Nakhon Pathom to evacuate as floodwater looks set to rise in its compound.