Governor orders more evacuations
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Residents of Bang Bon, Chom Thong, Bangkok Noi told to move out
Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra yesterday issued more evacuation orders, as flood water continued to spread further into the capital.
To date, more than 420,000 Bangkok residents plan to or have left their heavily flooded homes. Flood water levels in many neighbourhoods are well over 80 centimetres deep.
The latest evacuation orders were issued to some zones in Bangkok’s Bang Bon, Chom Thong and Bangkok Noi districts.
Public Health Minister Witthaya Buranasiri urged people in risk groups such as babies, pregnant women and people with chronic diseases like hypertension to evacuate before the flood water arrived.
“Please don’t wait till your areas are flooded. If you happen to need immediate medical help, flooded roads may prevent you from getting timely treatment,” he explained.
Elderly people, those with disabilities, patients with kidney problems and patients needing chemotherapy were also highly recommended to leave their floodprone homes.
Floodwater on the VibhavadiRangsit Road yesterday reached the Suttisarn Intersection, but small vehicles could still pass through.
In Bangkok’s eastern zone, many main roads are seriously submerged. Flood water levels on the Suwinthawong Road, for example, range between 80 centimetres and one metre.
In Bangkok’s western zone, flood water was about 150 centimetres deep in front of The Mall Bang Khae.
Bang Khun Thian district office chief Pongsak Phansawas said officials and volunteers there were trying to clear garbage out of waterways.
Garbage is widely blamed for blocking water flow, making it harder to push runoff water out of the capital.
“We are in the downstream zone. So, runoff water is coming with much garbage,” Pongsak said.
Several train services continue to be disrupted. After a portion of track between Bang Bon train station and Rang Pho was submerged under 50cmdeep flood water, services from the Wongwian Yai to Mahachai were cancelled.
The capital’s Skytrain and subway systems have operated as usual so far.
Royal Thai Army (RTA) deputy spokeswoman Colonel Sirijan Ngathong said the Army had sent military trucks and boats to serve Bangkok residents on 87 flooded routes.
“More than 30,000 people have used our services each day,” she said.
Sirijan said the Army has also coordinated with the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority in ensuring that truck rides provided by the armed forces and SCG on eight main routes including the Phaholyothin and Phetkasem roads connected people with bus services.
“Our trucks are in service from 6am to 10pm. The rides are free,” Sirijan said.
Although the flooding situation in Bangkok remained serious, flood waters have subsided in some areas. The Pinklao Road is now open to traffic. Some sections of the Charansanitwong Road were also free of flood water and locals have started cleaning up previously flooded homes and shops.
Dr Anond Snidvong, who serves as secretary to the Flood Relief Operation Centre’s committee for water management in critical areas, said the situation in Bangkok’s eastern zone was improving.
“If no more water comes into Bangkok, the situation should improve within one week,” he said.
