PATHUM THANI, Aug 10 (TNA) – The director-general of the Royal Irrigation Department has ordered subordinates to collaboratively manage their pump stations connected to the drainage system of Bangkok to protect the capital from flooding as water from the North and high tides will converge on Aug 10-16.
Praphit Chanma, the director-general, issued the order as he was inspecting water in the Rangsit Prayoonsak Canal in Pathum Thani province. It is a key canal that the department uses to receive water from the North before it flows to Bangkok through the Chao Phraya River.
Mr Prapit said apart from Rangsit Prayoonsak, the irrigation department could also discharge water from the Prawet Burirom Canal through the Phra Ongchao Chaiyanuchit Canal and the Bang Pakong River in Chachoengsao province into the sea to help prevent flooding in Bangkok. Coastal pump stations would be operated to accelerate drainage into the Gulf of Thailand, he said.
Besides, the Bureau of Mechanical Engineering of the department deployed propeller pumps to speed up flows from the Phra Khanong Canal through Lat Krabang, Bang Chalong and Jorakhay Yai canals to Samut Prakan province. The bureau implemented the measure after discussing flood prevention with Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt, Mr Praphit said. (TNA)
