subject: Bangkok Braces For Flooding [print this page] Bangkok Braces For Flooding Bangkok Braces For Flooding
Bangkok Braces Itself For Floods
The capital of thailand is bracing itself for a combination of floodwater from the north and a high tide also due to hit the city.Thirty of Thailand's 76 provinces have now been affected by flooding, which has killed 38 eight people and affected 2.5 million in the last fortnight. The goverment have issued thousands of sandbags to form a barrier against the incoming floods the Bangkok's Chao Phraya River is encountering water flows from the north east at the rate of 4 million litres per second.
In the last two weeks the North East regions have suffered severe flooding with the main damage being in the district of Korat which has been under 2 metres of water and the estimated damage is in excess of 1 million baht.Many people have lost all their possesions and infact lost their business and livelihood also.The North East now seems to be having a respite from the heavy rainfall.However all the previous rain in the last fortnight is now heading down stream to Bangkok and the Chao Phraya River.
People living close to the Chao Phraya river in Bangkok have been told to be prepared to move away, with flood-waters threatening the Thai capital.
Officials have warned the Chao Phraya, which runs through the heart of Bangkok, could soon overflow.
After two weeks of flooding in Thailand government officials have decided to take no chances near the main waterway, with warnings issued on the weekend that people living near the river should be prepared to leave when the water from further north begins to flow downstream.
Could the unthinkable happen as floodwaters pour from the north and the expected high tide wreaks further flood damage in the Thai capital ?
After the recent problems and demonstrations in Bangkok between the Red Shirts and the goverment forces which ended in bloodshed and some very aggressive tactics by the Thai army the capital is now encountering dangers of another form in a natural hazard.Will the goverment bail out the North east region which is predominantly a stronghold for the Red Shirt supporters or will they concentrate on securing the safety of the capitals residents?
Thailand is a country split at the moment by the political powers of the Red shirts and Yellow shirts,maybe the ongoing floodwaters could bring the people of thailand together or will it be used as a political tool by the warring partys.
As Bangkok prepares for the incoming floodwaters the death toll has now been increased to 41 although this figure could well increase in the coming days,over 200,000 sandbags have now been used to support the flood walls and in excess of 1000 water pumps have been sent to the Chaoa Phraya River area.
Officials would try to prevent the water level in the Chao Phraya Dam from exceeding 55 feet above normal level, .
Back to the North East region were the heavy rain seems to have stopped and flood waters are receding,the local communities are now looking at the damage to their lifestyle,many rice crops have been totally destroyed and this is to mnay their only source of income and infact food,living of the land in the north east region is very much the norm and now for hundreds and thousands of people that has been taken away by this natural hazard disaster.Lets hope that the goverment of thailand are able to act swiftly and responsibly to help the plight of these people in the North East regions.
Former president Thaksin has promised to make donations to the flood disaster areas in the North East and has called upon the goverment to act swiftly also.
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