BANGKOK, Sept 29 (TNA) – Storm Noru weakened to a depression in Chaturaphak Phiman district of Roi Et and was moving northwestwards while the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) reinforced its embankments along the Chao Phraya River with sandbags.
Chomparee Chompurat, director-general of the Meteorological Department, said Storm Noru would eventually lose its power and become a low-pressure system tonight. It would affect the lower North, the upper Central Plains and the upper Northeast. The chief expected heavy downpours in Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum, Phetchabun, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Sawan, Lop Buri, Saraburi and Nakhon Ratchasima provinces today and in Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet, Tak and Uttaradit provinces tomorrow (Sept 30).
In Bangkok, staff from the Department of Drainage and Sewerage of the City Hall hurriedly made 40,000 sandbags under the Taksin Bridge in Sathon district, the Ratchavibha Bridge in Chatuchak district and the Kanchanaphisek interchange in Bang Khae district. The sandbags would be stacked up to strengthen embankments along the Chao Phraya River including those under the Phra Pinklao Bridge in Phra Nakhon district.
Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt said the BMA was using pumps at their full capacities to discharge water from the Phra Khanong Canal. The canal is one of main waterways that the City Hall uses to drain water from the capital. (TNA)
