Residents want 'Big Bag' torn down

Residents from areas near Khor Por Or intersection on Phaholyothin Road in Bangkok also urged FROC to tear down the “Big Bag” embankment, saying water levels on both sides of the barrier were similar. They urged officials to pump water out quickly.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said on her weekly TV and radio show yesterday that floods in Bangkok and nearby areas had improved significantly as water in many areas was going down and some areas were already dry.
The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) was speedily draining floodwater into the Chao Phraya River, especially through Khlong Rangsit, and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) officials were draining water through its pump stations, so the situation had improved and lessened the risks of inner Bangkok being affected.
In regard to Greater Bangkok, Yingluck said the flood draining committee and RID would talk with the BMA governor and governors of six adjacent provinces to find a mutual solution to adjust the flood-draining plan as the direction of flood water had changed.
She said the “Big Bag” embankment may be re-adjusted or dismantled in part to drain water more effectively, while more pumps would be installed at various places.
With agencies and organisations hosting a “Big Cleaning Day” and post-flood aid campaigns, Yingluck said she had assigned Natural Resources and Environment Minister Preecha Rengsomboonsuk to find and install more pumps. Currently there are 200 on the west side of the Chao Phraya and 200 in Nonthaburi.
She urged officials in affected provinces to survey and approve Bt5,000 in flood aid to families who suffered more than a week of flooding and up to Bt30,000 for flood-damaged homes.
Yingluck said the Strategic Formulation Committee for Water Resources Management (SCWRM) had met and agreed to ask international agencies with experts from The Netherlands and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to give recommendations and exchange experience with Thailand, as well as look at water management problems in 1-3 months and help Thailand to formulate future plans.
The meeting also appointed two subcommittees, she said. The first one will focus on urgent projects and be chaired by former permanent secretary for Agriculture Pitipong Puengboon Na Ayutthaya. The second one, to focus on long-term projects and sustainable water management, would be chaired by former Royal Irrigation Department chief Kijja Pholphasi.
Meanwhile, PM’s adviser for flood draining, Uthen Chatpinyo, said he had proposed that FROC open the “Big Bag” embankment on Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road’s downstream area from Khlong Premprachakorn sluice gate at three to four spots, each at up to 10m long, to let water through to Khlong Premprachakorn. He also called for water-pushing machines under Khlong Premprachakorn Bridge.
BMA Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra said, after inspecting various areas where water was going down in Bangkok that officials couldn’t open Khlong Phraya Suren sluice gate, which is currently open at one-metre-wide, any more – as Pathum Thani people had requested – because it would flood Sukhapibal 5, Sai Mai and Wacharapol.
In related news, Kasetsart University president Wutthichai Kapinkan said yesterday that flood damage to the university was initially estimated at Bt500 million but the university should be dry by tomorrow, and would host a big clean-up on Wednesday. It should open the new semester on Dec 19.
He said the university had consulted with the Agriculture Ministry to build a permanent floodwall, 1-2 kilometres long, to the North along Khlong Bang Khen to prevent floods in the future.
The Engineering Institute yesterday dispatched 200 volunteer engineers to assist people in 2,000 flood-affected homes, who applied for help to inspect homes after the water subsided. The institute also provides advice over the phone on 080-812-3733 and 080-812-3743 free-of-charge.
Meanwhile, Real Estate Broker Association president Somsak Muneepeerakul yesterday warned homeowners not to rush to sell flood-affected properties as they may get prices that are 10-20 per cent down from what they seek. He said people should wait for another six months after the flood goes down.
In related news, the Public Health Ministry re-launched flood-aid hotlines; the mental health hotline is 1323, the Disease Control hotline is 1422, the chronic patients’ hotline is 1668 (and press 1), the accident and emergency hotline is 1669 and the ministry’s flood relief centre is 02 5901994.