Riverside households in Bangkok’s neighbouring provinces of Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani, which are not protected by floodwalls, have been warned to brace for flooding on Sunday due to the high tide.
According to the City Administration’s Department of Drainage and Sewerage, the high tide today will probably raise the Chao Phraya River to the highest level so far this year and this will flood riverside areas.
Pathum Thani
Panya Kaewtham, a resident of Chiangrak Noi sub-district in Sam Kok district of Pathum Thani, told Thai PBS that floodwater has been flowing steadily into houses, forcing them to move their valuables to higher ground.
He said many houses in the neighbourhood of Plubsutthavat Temple have, however, been underwater for more than a week and, although they are living safely on the second floor, it is very inconvenient for them because they cannot use their toilets.
Nonthaburi
Anong Borisut, an 85-year old resident of Lak Muang Kao shrine community in Bang Srimuang sub-district of Nonthaburi province, said that the water level is increasing every day and the sandbags, provided by the municipality to build a flood wall, have been overwhelmed.
Discharged from the Mae Klong Dam
The irrigation office has warned households in low-lying areas in Ratchaburi and Samut Songkhram provinces to brace for rising water levels, as more water is to be discharged from the Mae Klong Dam.
Compounded by the high tide, the Mae Klong River has overflowed its banks and flooded low-lying areas in Kung Namwon and See Muen sub-districts of Ratchaburi and Ampawa district of Samut Songkhram.
Ang Thong
In Village No 7 in Jorakhae sub-district of Ang Thong province yesterday a heated quarrel erupted between two groups of villagers, with one demanding irrigation officials stop the use of an excavator to remove water hyacinth from Bang Sala canal, fearing that the heavy machine may cause the road to cave in, while the other group wants the work to continue.
Irrigation officials have decided, however, to suspend the operations for the time being.
Rising floodwater in Ang Thong province has started to stabilise after less water was discharged from the Chao Phraya Dam, reduced to about 2,561 cubic meters per second. Five districts and 38 villages remain submerged.
Uthai Thani
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam and officials visited Uthai Thani province yesterday to inspect flooding in the province and to discuss relief for the flood victims.
Muang, Swang Arom and Taptun districts in the province have been flooded since late September by the overflowing Sakaekrang and Chao Phraya rivers.