Drier cities, wetter countryside | Bangkok Post: learning

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The government’s flood prevention measures are likely to keep cities dry, but rural areas are likely to suffer as a result, says a team of consultants.

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Drier cities, wetter countryside

New flood barriers are going up everywhere it seems and, as a result, Bangkok and other urban areas are likely to remain dry this year.

That's good, say the experts, but they also say there are downsides to the flood prevention measures. The water has to go somewhere and that means even worse flooding in many rural areas.

Chaowalit Chantararat, managing director of TEAM Group, a group of Thai-based consulting firms, said this prediction was based on the amount of rainfall last year and flood prevention measures carried out so far by the government.

He said based on available information, Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani provinces would be safe from flooding. Low-lying areas which are regular flood zones will continue to flood however.

"Bangkok and nearby cities will be safe as they are all protected by water barriers. We have constructed water barriers in Khlong Praya Banlue, North and South Rapeepat canals and Khlong Prayanuchit. Of course, it is good for the capital and nearby cities. But it will effectively increase water levels in other places," he said.

According to the group's study, water levels will increase by 30-80cm on average based on the level of flooding last year. Water level increases can be expected mostly in provinces north of Bangkok.

In Suphan Buri, for example, the floodwater level is expected to increase by more than 57cm in Bang Pla Ma and U Thong districts, and 60cm in Song Phi Nong. A rise can be also expected in Nakhon Pathom's Bang Len district (60cm), Ang Thong's Pa Mok district (42cm), and Ayutthaya's Sena, Maha Rat and Bang Pa-in districts (20cm and 30cm respectively).

Ongkharak district in Nakhon Nayok which was not affected by flooding last year, can expect to see floodwater up to 60cm deep this year.
 
Adapted from a story in today's Bangkok Post by Apinya Wipatayotin. You can read the full story here: http://bit.ly/MEcMcY

barrier – a wall, pile of sandbags, etc., that prevents water from entering สิ่งกีดขวาง
urban – connected with towns and cities เขตเมือง
downside – the disadvantages or less positive aspects of something ผลเสีย
prevention – preventing something bad from happening การป้องกันภ้ย
measure – a firm action taken to solve a problem or stop a dangerous unpleasant situation มาตราการ
rural – connected with the countryside outside big towns and cities  ในชนบท, บ้านนอก
consulting firm – a person who knows a lot about a particular subject and is employed to give advice about it to other people บริษัทที่ให้คำปรึกษา
prediction – a statement about what you think will happen in the future คำพยากรณ์,คำทำนาย,การพยากรณ์
so far – up until this time จนถึงทุกวันนี้
available – that you can get, find or buy มีอยู่, หาได้
zone – an area that has an important or typical feature; an area where a particular activity is allowed or not allowed พื้นที่, บริเวณ, เขต
construct –building or making something, especially buildings, bridges, etc. ก่อสร้าง
capital – the most important town or city of a country, usually where the central government operates from  เมืองหลวง
effectively – in reality ตามความเป็นจริง
level – the amount of liquid that there is in a container, river, dam, etc., which can be seen by how high the liquid is ระดับ
average – an amount calculated by adding several amounts together, finding a total, and dividing the total by the number of amounts เฉลี่ย, ค่าเฉลี่ย
respectively – in the order in which they were mentioned ตามลำดับ

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