BMA orders Bang Khae residents to evacuate

BMA Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra thanked the National Flood Relief Operation Centre (FROC) for its order to close Pathum Thani’s Klong 8,9 and 10 sluice gates which lowered water levels in eastern Bangkok.  Sukhumbhand said the flood risk to Bangchan Industrial Estate had also been reduced after the floodwall around the estate was strengthened and the sluice gate closed.

Sukhumbhand reported the Chao Phraya river at Pakkhlong Talad had risen to 2.28 metres at 2.05pm, while water levels of the  Klong Song and Thavee Wattana canals remained stable.

He said the Mahasawt canal remained high and the Thon Buri area was the most worrying, with floodwaters now reaching to Nong Khaem and Phasi Charoen.

Floodwater in eastern Bangkok is rising – at Min Buri by 5cm20cm, Klong Sam Wa and Nong Chok by 5cm and Bang Khae by 20cm, he said. As a result, the BMA announced the Bang Khae evacuation and declared Chatuchak, Bang Bon, Bangkok Noi and Phasi Charoen districts as flood surveillance areas where residents should move belongings to higher grounds.

So far, the BMA had announced evacuation for eight districts; Don Meuang, Bang Phlat, Sai Mai, Thawee Wattana, Lak Si, Taling Chan, Bang Khen and Bang Khae, he said. 

Another four districts–Lat Phrao, Chatuchak, Klong Sam Wa and Nong Khaem– have also seen residents evacuated from floodhit tambons, he added.

Sukhumband said the ‘big bag’ floodwall laid from Premprachakorn sluice gate to Phaholyothin Road had been helpful in reducing flooding at Phaholyothin and Vibhavadi Roads. 

He said the PM had agreed she would let the BMA manage sluice gates as appropriate. He said BMA wanted to open the Klong Sam Wa sluice gate at 75cm80cm. Sukhumbhand affirmed there was no political agenda behind BMA’s actions.

BMA officials have set up a central kitchen at the City Hall plaza to cook food for distribution to residents in floodaffected districts. The governor has invited interested organisations to donate money, ingredients and manpower to transport the food to victims.

Floodwater has reached the Bang Khae Elderly Home, prompting officials to pile up sandbag barriers and use water pumps, as the evacuation of senior residents to Ratchaburi continued for the third day.

The Interior Ministry yesterday opened a flood victim assistance centre near Wat Ratbophit to gather complaints, take donations and operate a kitchen for food distribution to temporary shelters across Bangkok. Other centres will also be opened at Nimit Mai Road, Lam Lukka area and in front of Tesco Lotus near Soi Watcharapol.