The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has warned people who live outside floodgates near the Chao Phraya River of possible floods due to rising water levels between Saturday and December 30.

Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang on Tuesday said the National Water Command Centre and the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) have estimated that the water level of the river will rise by 20cm-40cm due to water overflow from the Ping River.

This may cause floods in 11 riverside communities covering 239 households in seven districts, Pol Gen Aswin said.

In response to the risk, the BMA has reinforced floodgates along the river from Rama VII Bridge to Bang Na district, as well as 14 low-lying areas.

The BMA has likewise checked the readiness of 97 pumping stations near the river to deal with rising amounts of seawater. Spare water pumps, water-pushing boats, sandbags and other related equipment have also been prepared to deal with inundation, Pol Gen Aswin said.

Source: Bangkok Post