Drive runoff out to sea quickly : water adviser

“Do it before the hightide period begins late next month or early August,” Hydro and Agro Infomatics Institute (HAII) director Royol Jitdon said yesterday.
He said rain and storms were likely to continue from Thursday without any real break.
“We believe the rainfall this year will be around 1,500 millimetres. The volume of water will be huge even though it should be lower than last year’s figure,” he said.
Last year, there was about 1,800 millimetres of rain and the country suffered its worst floods in decades. Hundreds of people died and seven industrial estates were inundated. Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok was also forced to shut because floodwater swamped its runway.
This year, relevant authorities have been anxious to manage the wet season downpours better.
However, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department has already declared three floodaffected provinces as disasterhit zones. They are Surat Thani, Sukhothai and Phitsanulok.
At the worsthit spots in Surat Thani, the water level has now risen well above one metre.
The Meteorological Department also warned that 10 other provinces were at risk of flash floods, as heavy downpours were expected over the next few days. These were Nong Khai, Beung Kan, Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, Mukdahan, Amnat Chareon, Ubon Ratchathani, Trat, Ranong and Phang Nga.
Royol warned that construction of embankments was likely to affect watermanagement plans already laid down. He pointed out that the water level in Pathum Thani might have hit 2.8 metres last year but embankments along rivers in nearby provinces could push the level to 3.5 metres if there was flooding this year.
“And if an embankment bursts, things will become even more serious,” Royol said.
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) spokesman Wasan Meewong said preparations were being made to ensure efficient water drainage.
“Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribratra has already instructed the dredging of canals and drainage pipes in 18 districts,” he said.
Wasan said city officials would launch a website to provide people in the capital with updated details on the water situation via www.floodwatch.bangkok.go.th.