Residents in Nonthaburi were alerted of possible flash floods due to heavy rains over the past few days and increasing water flow from the Chao Phraya River.

Nonthaburi governor Nisit Chansomwong said Sunday local authorities in the province are closely monitoring the situation and are prepared for possible floods.

He was speaking Sunday during an inspection at a riverside community in the province to ensure barriers are in place to prevent any possible flash floods.

Located in a low-lying area and close to the Chao Phraya River, Nonthaburi faces a high risk of flooding every year, prompting authorities to come up with flood risk management plans.

Mr Nisit said he ordered officials to deploy water pumps to flood-prone communities to divert floodwaters to the canals and the river.

Earlier report: Tens of thousands evacuated from flood path

In mid-August Prime Ministry Prayut Chan-o-cha promised that flood water flowing from the North would not overflow downstream provinces in the Central Plains.

The water situation in the Central Plains was not worrying, he insisted after the cabinet meeting on Aug 16.

The prime minister announced he had ordered a water management committee to set up a fully integrated water management system to help ease flooding, adding the flooding was due to poor water management.

He has not commented on the floods since officials opened the Chao Phyraya Dam to cause major flooding in several Central region provinces, but centred in Ayutthaya.

There are five flood-prone areas in Nonthaburi province: An area near Nonthaburi Pier and an area near Khlong Bang Sue Noi water gate, another near Wat Tamnak Tai water gate, all in Muang district; an area near Wat Sanam Nua pier and another near Wat Chong Lom, both in Pak Kret district.

Pak Kret mayor Wichai Bundasak said authorities had piled up thousands of sandbags against the riverbank to fight off the swollen river as water levels are rising due to continued rainfall.

The sandbags were well stacked against riverside communities starting from the Royal Irrigation Department Office and extending to Wat Phothong Bon, spanning 10km, he added.

Drain cleaners cleared away obstructions to ensure a constant flow of water to natural water resources, Mr Wichai said.

Authorities are also monitoring weather reports provided by the weather bureau and doing their best to assess flood risks in each area, he added.

Meanwhile, the level of the Chao Phraya dam was measured at 15.5 metres above the mean sea level Sunday, down from 16.4 metres the previous day following the reduced amount of water being discharged from the dam on Saturday.

It was reported water levels in flooded riverside communities in Chai Nat's Sapphaya district, in Sing Buri's In Buri and Phrom Buri districts, in Ang Thong's Pa Mok district and in Ayutthaya's Bang Ban and Sena districts had dropped by 15-20cm.

However, Neramit Thepnok, who represents Regional Irrigation Office 12 urged residents living along the river to stay alert to flash floods due to persistent rainfall.

Sewer lids along a section of Rama III road near the Na Ranong intersection are lifted to speed up drainage after downpours slammed Bangkok. In the Klong Toey area alone, rainfall reached 90.5mm, turning the area into a 'sea of floods'. (Photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)

Source:
courtesy of BANGKOK POST

by BANGKOK POST

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