WEATHER
Dark clouds roll over Bangkok before a heavy downpour yesterday, with forecasts of more wet weather to come. The picture captures the Bangkok skyline from Bang Phlad district on the Thon Buri side. |
Thailand needs to construct long dykes in coastal areas to protect Bangkok and neighbouring provinces against rising sea levels, which could lead to severe flooding in the capital, said Smith Dharmasarojana, chairman of the national disaster warning committee. The dykes would be erected between Phetchaburi's Cha-am district and Chachoengsao's Bang Pakong district, which face the Gulf of Thailand.
They would cost around 30 billion baht and take around five years to complete, according to Mr Smith.
''This will be worth the investment, because it will prevent damages and loss,'' he told a seminar on global warming, organised by the navy.
Global warming is blamed for causing climate change around the world and many experts believe it will worsen coastal erosion and increase the sea level.
Bangkok and neighbouring provinces are situated on soft ground with an average land subsidence of five centimetres a year, Mr Smith said.
Worse, he added, these provinces are subjected to violent storms between August and November, when the effects of water run-off from the North are combined with high tides.
Mr Smith said the dykes would be a long-term means to prevent sea water from entering the three major rivers _ Chao Phraya, Bang Pakong and Tha Chin _ which flow into the Gulf of Thailand.
They would be built near the coast with a total length of 83 to 100 kilometres, and would have channels to allow ships to pass through.
''They would be similar to those built in the Netherlands,'' said Mr Smith.
The Naval Hydrographic Department has been asked to keep a close watch on the impact of climate change on sea levels and itemperatures.
Data from these studies could be used to predict flood situations, therefore lessening or even preventing damage.
''The water temperature in the Gulf of Thailand has not significantly changed,'' said Navy commander Sathiraphan Keyanont, referring to the latest report from the department.
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